SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Mary women's soccer team threw a scare into one of the region's top teams before dropping a 2-1 decision at Augustana, the third-ranked team in the region.
 
With two games left to play this year, today's loss eliminates the Marauders from Northern Sun post-season contention. U-Mary is 5-8-3 overall and 4-7-2 in the NSIC for 14 points. Augie, second in the NSIC and third in the NCAA Central Region rankings, is 13-3 and 11-2.
 
Mykala Benjamin opened the scoring midway through the second half. The U-Mary junior took a feed from Michele McGeary and knocked the ball past the Vikings goalkeeper at the 66:12 mark. It was Benjamin's first counter of the season.
 
Augustana responded less than five minutes later. Samantha Tymkowicz scored her sixth goal of the season at 71:03 to pull even at 1-1. A Mackenzie Main goal at 77:43 would give the Vikings the win.
 
A late flurry for the Marauders failed to find the net. In the last three minutes of play, Megan Searson missed high, Ashley Limmer saved a shot by McGeary and an attempt by Benjamin went right.
 
McGeary led the Marauders with five shots taken, including four on frame. Benjamin took four shots.
 
The Vikings held a 21-15 edge in shots and a 7-5 edge in shots on frame. Augie also generated nine corner kicks to one for the Marauders.

U-Mary returns to action at MSU Moorhead on Friday, Oct. 31. The season concludes against Northern State University at home on Sunday, Nov. 2.
 
#marauders#