BISMARCK, N.D. - The University of Mary women's soccer team opened Family and Senior Recognition Weekend in exceptional style. Behind two goals from Mykala Benjamin and a smothering team defensive effort, U-Mary upset St. Cloud State University 2-0 in front of family and friends.
 
A senior with blazing speed, Benjamin twice blew by defenders in the first half to score into the right side of the net in the first half. It was the first multi-goal game of her career.
 
"We had an outstanding team performance on a very special day for our seniors," said Marauders head coach Sarah Cook. "Great performance by Bailey Wenz in goal, our backline, our midfield and our front line carried us to the win. And Mykala Benjamin had an unbelievable performance today.
 
"This is who we are and I am glad to see the girls rewarded for some fine play. A big thank you to all the fans and parents who made it out today to support our ladies."
 
U-Mary improves to 2-9-1 overall and 2-8 in the NSIC. Fifth place in league play entering the game, SCSU slips to 6-4-2 and 5-3-2.
 
The Marauders narrowly avoided a disastrous start. Just 57 seconds into the contest U-Mary was whistled for a foul in the box. Naomi Kolhoff fired the St. Cloud State penalty kick towards the upper left corner but bounced her shot off the crossbar.
 
Still on the attack, the Huskies earned a corner kick and drove two more shots towards the Marauders net in the first three minutes but U-Mary defensively stood firm.
 
After further pressure from the Huskies, the Marauders transitioned from a third Wenz save onto offense.
 
Taking a forward pass from Megan Searson, Benjamin jetted down the left sideline and gained inside position on the Huskies defender. Coming in alone on Huskies goalkeeper Brittany Plombon, Benjamin blasted a narrow angle shot into the upper right corner from 10 yards out at 18:02 into the game. Benjamin's first counter of the season provided the Marauders a 1-0 lead.
 
The Marauders doubled their advantage  almost 12 minutes later. In a nearly identical look, Benjamin scooted down the left sideline after a feed from fellow senior Emily Christensen. Again beating the defender with her size and speed, Benjamin scored again in the right corner, this time rolling the ball past Plombon at 29:51.
 
More scoring attempts for the Huskies followed in the first half, including a header off the crossbar in the 44th minute, but SCSU was unable to cut into the lead.
 
The Huskies kept flowing offensively early in the second but couldn't put anything on frame. Soon the Marauders defense smothered the Huskies attack while U-Mary turned up its offensive pressure. Despite an 11-3 Marauders edge in shots after intermission, U-Mary was unable to increase its lead.
 
Wenz ended the game with five saves for the Marauders, all in the first half. It was her third clean sheet of the year.
 
U-Mary held a 14-12 edge in shots and SCSU held a 6-4 advantage in shots on frame. Benjamin had nine of U-Mary's shots, including all four on frame.
 
The Marauders next host the University of Minnesota Duluth on Sunday, Oct. 18. Game time is 1 p.m. at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
 
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