Box Score Lacey, WA – In one of the longest-awaited days in University of Mary men's soccer team history, the Marauders won their first-ever conference match, defeating Saint Martin's University 2-0. Rory Pratt and Dace Moerkerke both scored for U-Mary to extend the Marauders unbeaten string to three.
 
Playing in their first game as a member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, the Marauders had been competing without any conference affiliation since the men's soccer program was established in 1995.
 
U-Mary's (2-2-1 overall, 1-0 GNAC) leading scorer, Pratt broke open a scoreless game at 74:58. The sophomore from Dublin, Ireland, took a cross from Adam Potter on the right side and tallied against Saint Martin's (1-4-0, 0-1) just inside the left post from 10 yards out. It was his team-leading third goal of the season.
 
The Marauders would seal the game just six minutes later when Moerkerke scored for the second time in two games. Aaron Mc Elwee sent a pass to the top of the box for Moerkerke, who sent a shot low left side past the Saints goalkeeper from 15 yards out.
 
In a second straight 2-0 win for the Marauders, defense was again key. Goalkeeper Michael Frenzel earned the shutout on a relatively quiet night. The junior from Bismarck, ND, recorded his only of the save with less than a minute remaining in the contest. The Saints managed just four shots total in the game. U-Mary generated 16 shots, including six on net.
 
The Marauders held a 3-1 edge in corner kicks and committed 16 fouls to 11 for the Saints.
 
Next up for U-Mary is a visit to 2^nd-ranked Seattle Pacific University on Saturday, September 15.
 
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