BISMARCK, N.D. - In another tough match, the Marauders fell short by one goal in a 2-1 loss to the Western Washington Vikings.
 
The Vikings got on the board first in the 16th minute after a pass from #16 Kurtis Pederson squeaked its way past a handful of Marauder defenders and into the possession of #16 Dan Anderson. Anderson took the shot from about 10 yards out which snuck past Michael Frenzel in a one-on-one situation.
 
Yet the theme for this Marauder team has been about fighting back the whole season.
 
After an offside from both teams, the Marauders had a corner kick in the 31st minute. Christoffer Nogueira got the call to take the corner and his resulting pass curved into the path of Jordan Pearce. Pearce headed the ball and the resulting shot ended up in a goal for the Marauders to tie the match at 1-1.
 
The rest of the half wasn't without some controversy however.
 
In the 42nd minute the Vikings' goalkeeper initially saved a shot from Alex Boyes.  The keeper couldn't get a handle on the ball and the ricochet ended up in the possession of Cole Olson about seven yards from the net. The shot from Olson was clear of the keeper but a defender appeared block the shot with his arm. However, the head referee did not call a handball that would've resulted in a penalty shot for the Marauders and a red card for the Vikings. The disappointment was palpable going into the half, as both teams remained tied at 1-1.
 
Coming out of halftime the Vikings played with renewed vigor and kept the ball out of the possession of the Marauders early in the second half. The Marauders did not get a shot off until the 65th minute that ended up wide left anyways.
 
The Vikings got the go ahead goal in the 68th minute after a pass from #20 Marcus Tinsley fell into the feet of #6 Gabriele Zaccagnini. Zaccagnini would sneak the shot from about five yards out to give Western Washington a 2-1 lead.
 
The Marauders were not out of the game yet, as a couple of free kicks from Aaron Brennan were close to the net but nothing connected. The last beset chance for U-Mary came around the 88th minute after a couple throw-ins from Jack West closed in on the net but the keeper eventually punched the ball away for good.
 
Western Washington won the match 2-1, giving the Marauders their fifth straight loss in conference.
 
Pearce added to his team leading goals with another one tonight; he has seven so far on the season. The assist from Nogueira was his third on the year.
 
U-Mary (2-5-1, 1-5-0 GNAC) will host Simon Fraser University on Saturday, October 11 at 3:30 p.m.