Box Score Bismarck, ND—In search of their first win of the season, the University of Mary's Rory Pratt connected on his first goal of the season, which proved to be the game-winner, as U-Mary defeated South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 3-0.
 
Pratt's goal came in the 10th minute as he beat the Hardrockers keeper high on a feed from teammate Dace Moerkerke. The assist was the first of Moerkerke's career. Jordan Pearce, who fed Moerkerke, also picked up his first career assist on the goal.
 
The Marauders dominated the game offensively attempting 20 shots to the Hardrockers 10. Ten of U-Mary's goals were on goal to just five for SDSMT. The Marauders also held a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Jack West was a stalwart in net for the Marauders picking up his first career shutout stopping all five shots he faced.
 
Leading the nation in saves, SDSMT's (0-10, 0-7 GNAC) Timothy Tribbett was kept busy allowing three goals on 10 shots.
 
U-Mary put its foot on the gas early putting four shots on target in the first six minutes. Keeping the pressure on, Pratt's goal came just 9:12 into the game. The Hardrockers threatened to tie the game in the 36th minute as a Marauders handball lead to a penalty kick. West saved the attempt, but was unable to corral the miss. South Dakota Mines controlled the rebound and narrowly missed, hitting the left goalpost. Despite the scare U-Mary took a 1-0 lead into intermission.
 
With a 1-0 lead out of the break, U-Mary appeared poised to take a 1-0 victory.  Pearce had other plans as he scored just second after entering the game in the 81st minute. With just over three minutes left in the game Alex Boyes added another insurance goal with a header that found the back of the net. The goal came on an assist off of an Adam Potter free kick. The goals by Pearce and Boyes were the second of the season for each. With a 3-0 lead the Marauders were on cruise control the final minutes securing a 3-0 victory, their first of the season and first of GNAC play.
 
U-Mary (1-8, 1-6 GNAC) will be back in action on Thursday as they take on #9 Simon Fraser University.
 
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