GAME NOTES (PDF)
LAST WEEK: Last weekend U-Mary lost a pair of close games. To start the weekend the Marauders lost to 7th-ranked Central Missouri University (9/6). The teams battled to a scoreless first half. In the second half Central Missouri was able to take the lead and the Jennies went on to win 1-0. Next up for U-Mary was Southwest Baptist University (9/8). The Bearcats would take an early 1-0 lead in the 19th minute with a goal off of a corner and go on to win 2-0 with a late goal to seal the victory.
DEFENSE IS KEY: Despite the offensive struggles the Marauders have faced this year, their defensive effort has kept them in every game. On the year U-Mary has only allowed three goals, including holding #7 Central Missouri to just one goal. Key to this defensive effort is senior GK Ashley Akers, who has only allowed one goal in 189 minutes. For the Marauders to be succesful they will need to continue their attention to defense as the conference season continues.
THIS WEEK: The Marauders will finish their five- game homestretch this weekend as they host a pair of conference opponents. First up for U-Mary will be Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday (9/15) followed by the NSIC newcomer, Sioux Falls University on Sunday (9/16).
SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE: With a 3-0 win over Sioux Falls last Friday (9/7) the SMSU Mustangs improved their record to an impressive 3-0. The Mustangs defense has been key to their success as they have only allowed one goal on the season. Keying their success defensively has been the outstanding play of sophomore GK Sonya Smith. Smith, who was named All-NSIC second team last year, recorded her second shutout of the season and sixth of her career against Sioux Falls. In ten meetings against SMSU the Marauders have only lost once. However, that loss came last year in a 2-1 defeat in Marshall.
USF: The UIniversity of Sioux Falls has taken their lumps in their first season competing in the NSIC. The Cougars are off to an 0-4 start, including 0-2 in conference play. Sioux Falls has been outscored 11-2 on the year. USF has shown bright spots this year as evident by its 3-2 loss against Nebraska-Kearney. The Cougars are led offensively by sophomore M Desiree Parmenter. Parmenter was second on the team last year in goals and points and is one of two players to score so far this year for Sioux Falls. The Marauders have never lost to the Cougars in nine tries, including a 5-1 win last year.
ON DECK: Next week the Marauders will be on the road for the first time this season. They will head south to take on Winona State University (9/22) and Upper Iowa University (9/23). The last time U-Mary and Winona played was back in 2010 with the game ending in a 0-0 tie. In 2009, the last time they played Upper Iowa, the Marauders won 1-0.
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