LAST WEEK: The University of Mary Men's Soccer team opened up the 2012 season on the road as they headed down to Iowa this past weekend to play a pair of games. In the first game of the weekend the Marauders fell to a very talented Regis University team 7-0 (8/31). U-Mary wrapped up the weekend against Metro State (9/2) falling 3-0.
THIS WEEK: U-Mary men's soccer will make their home debut this week with a pair of non-conference games against Rocky Mountain College (9/7) and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (9/9). The Marauders look to build on their home success from last year as all three of their wins came at home.
FRIDAY'S GAME (youth night): The University of Mary men's soccer team will hold a Mandan Youth Soccer Night on Friday, September 7, when the Marauders open their home schedule against Rocky Mountain College. The match is set for 7 PM at Dacotah Centennial Field, located at 800-898 Redwing Drive in Mandan, ND. As part of US Youth Soccer Month, all Mandan Youth Soccer players will be admitted to the match free. They are also encouraged to wear their jerseys. This week the Marauders student-athletes have been working with the Mandan youth players to improve skills and share their love and passion for the game.
RECENT HISTORY: In the last three years the Marauders have played Rocky Mountain College very evenly. In 2009 U-Mary won 4-0, which is the last time the Marauders have beat Rocky Mountain College. In 2010 and 2011 Rocky Mountain College defeated U-Mary 2-1 and 1-0 respectively. This is SDSMT's first year fielding a men's soccer program and the program's first year as an NCAA affiliate.
COMMUNITY BOWL CHANGES: The $8 million renovation of the Bismarck Community Bowl, home of Marauders Soccer, is scheduled for completion in 2013. The current construction will result in some changes to parking, seating and entrances during the 2012 season.
ENTRANCES: Fans for Marauders Soccer matches must enter through the Upper Southwest ticket booth on Edwards Avenue. No patron admission will be allowed at the lower SW gate.
SEATING: The south bleachers will be open for Marauders soccer games.
PARKING: Public parking is available on the City lot on the south side of Edwards Avenue and east of the Water Reservoir
property at the crest of the hill. “EVENT SIGNS” are posted for the parking area. Fans can also park on the street.
TICKETS: (new for 2012): Game tickets for Marauders home games are available at the gate. Adult tickets are $8 while seniors, college students and youth 18 years old and younger are $4. U-Mary students with their M-card and children 5 and under are free.
NEW FACES: The Marauders will enter the 2012 season with a new look from last year. U-Mary lost six players to graduation and eight overall from last year's team, including their leading scorer. To combat these losses the Marauders have brought in 16 new players, including five international players.
FAMILIAR FACES: Despite all of the new faces U-Mary will return two seniors (F
Linus Onuoha, and M
Nenad Skenderovic) and seven starters from last year's team. These familiar faces will look to add some stability to a roster that has been overhauled since last year.
ON DECK: Next week the U-Mary men will head out to Washington where they will begin their first season as a part of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. On Friday (9/13) the Marauders will take on Saint Martin's University and will wrap up the weekend on Sunday (9/15) against #5 Seattle Pacific University.
Full Release (PDF)
