THIS WEEKEND
The final weekend of the season for the University of Mary women's soccer team, the Marauders will play a split away-and-home set. U-Mary opens the weekend at Northern State University on Friday, Oct. 30. Game time with the Wolves is 2 p.m. at Jerde Field in Aberdeen, S.D. The Marauders then return home for the 2015 season finale on Sunday, Nov. 1, against the Dragons of MSU Moorhead. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at MDU Resources Community Bowl.
 
THE RECORDS
The Marauders are 2-11-2 on the season, including a mark of 2-10-1 for seven points in Northern Sun contests (14th in NSIC)... Northern State University is 7-8-1 overall and is 11th in the NSIC with a 5-7-1 record and 16 points… MSU Moorhead is 1-10-4 overall and 15^th in the NSIC at 1-10-2 and 5 points.
 
LAST WEEK
U-Mary succumbed twice at home in overtime. The Marauders opened with a 4-3 loss to Wayne State College in the second overtime before falling 2-1 to #25 Augustana in the first overtime… Northern State swept a weekend home series, defeating Sioux Falls 4-2 and Southwest Minnesota State 1-0… MSU Moorhead dropped a 4-1 decision to Southwest Minnesota State and played Sioux Falls to a scoreless 0-0 draw.
 
LET'S KEEP PLAYING
The Marauders seemingly never want to stop playing. Over the past three seasons, U-Mary has went to overtime 20 times: seven times in both 2013 and 2014 and six times this year.
 
HARSH SENTENCE
Despite the Marauders propensity for overtime games, the extra sessions have not been kind to U-Mary this season. The Marauders are 0-4-2 when playing more than 90 minutes in 2015. U-Mary was 2-1-4 in 2014 and 1-2-4 in 2013. Overall the Marauders are 3-7-10 the last three years in overtime.
 
REWIND
The Marauders played two exciting overtime games but were unable to get a positive result on Oct. 24-25. Opening against Wayne State, the two teams combined for seven goals in a back-and-forth contest. Mykala Benjamin opened the scoring with her third counter in three games for U-Mary. Wayne State scored a pair before half to take a 2-1 lead. Emily Julian and Elizabeth Patterson took turns knotting the contest at 2-2 and 3-3, respectively. After a scoreless opening overtime period, the Wildcats produced a golden goal 59 seconds into the second overtime… U-Mary played one of its best games of the season the next day, a 2-1 overtime loss to #25 Augustana. A tight defensive battle, Benjamin struck again to tie the game 1-1 with 6:34 left to play. Samantha Tymkowicz scored her 13^th goal of the season 1:44 into the opening overtime to send the Vikings home with the win.
 
BENJAMIN BLASTS
One week after producing the first two-goal game of her collegiate career, senior Mykala Benjamin scored in both weekend matches. All four of her goals this season were scored during the Marauders four-game home stand. Unlike the week before where she used her speed to beat the defenders outside, Benjamin scored inside this week. Against Wayne State, she took a forward pass from Michelle McGeary and spilt the defenders down the middle before beating the keeper. She tied the Augustana game with less then 7' remaining when she gathered a Megan Searson pass from the right and scored all alone from about 15 yards straight out from the net.
 
SMITH STRIKES
Senior defender Jacquelyn Smith flashed her offensive prowess in the Wayne State game, picking up the first two assists of her career (NOTE: Smith was originally credited with a goal vs. WSC but that has been changed to an assist with the goal to Emily Julian). Both of Smith's assists came on free kicks from distance. Her first serve was deflected by the Wildcats goalie off the right post and slid over to Emily Juilan for the tap-in. The second free kick was headed in by Emily Patterson.
 
SECONDS
One week after scoring her first career goal, freshman Emily Julian registered her second goal just one week later. The Sheridan, Wyo., native tapped in a ball against Wayne State that was deflected off the post by the goal keeper to tie the game at 2-2.
 
THANK YOU SENIORS
Five Marauders will take to the pitch in the Blue & Orange for the final time on Sunday. Here are comments on each student-athlete made earlier this season by U-Mary head coach Sarah Cook.
 
Mykala Benjamin (Defender/Forward, Kent, Wash.)
"Benji is another outstanding teammate and amazing student-athlete for our team! Benji's blazing speed has been a trademark of hers on the pitch, and she has found her in multiple positions as well on the pitch in her four years. Soft-spoken but outgoing at the same time, Benji is full of character and personality that filters throughout the team. Benji has a very caring, passionate soul that also resonates amongst the team!"
 
Emily Christensen (Defender, Minot, N.D.)
"Emily is one of a kind. She's a hard working, loyal, dedicated, friendly, and competitive athlete who has done such a remarkable job in her four years with the Marauders. She is also adaptable as she has found her way to nearly every position on the pitch. Emily is certainly that one player I never want to take off the pitch! She has been an amazing teammate and leader all her four years as a Marauder!"
 
Destiny Glaser (Midfielder/Forward, Bismarck, N.D.)
"To describe Destiny in one word, I would say passionate. Everything Destiny does she is fully invested in, and it certainly shines through on the pitch in her competitive spirit. I have been lucky enough to coach Destiny in high school, as well as college and it has been a true pleasure. She's an amazing teammate and a wonderful young woman to coach as she is so loyal, honest, and true!"
 
Jacquelyn Smith (Defender, Lewiston, Idaho)
"Jacque is a true team first player. Her heart and passion for the game is remarkable and contagious amongst the team. Jacque has worked her way up into an key role in the team because of her will to succeed and determination to do so. Jacque is also a huge advocate for U-Mary Women's Soccer and Marauders athletics in the community and through the many projects she has worked on: Make-a-wish, Breast Cancer Awareness, SAAC, Don't Drive Drunk Campaign, Special Olympics, and the list goes on! Another amazing teammate, leader, and role model for the program!
 
Bailey Wenz (Goalkeeper, Gillette, Wyo.)
"Bailey has dealt with her share of injuries and illness in her three year span here at U-Mary but has always put the team first and foremost! Luckily this year she has gotten to enjoy her time on the pitch, leading the team in goal and becoming a key contributor. She is an amazing teammate, and such an energetic and positive role model for the team!"
 
THANK YOU SENIORS PART 2
U-Mary head coach Sarah Cook's comments on the 2015 senior class:
"This year's senior class has many things in common, but most importantly they are all team players. This group has modeled our team's core values of community, family, service, strong academics and competition, building a strong philosophy for the program that has resonated amongst their fellow teammates. They are loyal young woman who have put the team first and have worked extremely hard in doing so. I have no doubt this group of young women will be successful in whatever they put their mind to! We will miss them tremendously but wish them nothing but the best for their futures ahead!"
 
SCHEDULING ISSUES
The NCAA released its second regional poll of the season earlier this week. U-Mary has faced six of the ten ranked teams (Minnesota State, Central Missouri, Augustana, Minot State, Winona State and Bemidji State) from the Central Region, which includes teams from the NSIC, MIAA and GAC.
 
HOME SWEET HOME
The Marauders are in a stretch of playing five of their last six games of the season at home. The only road game is at Northern State.
 
HISTORY
U-Mary is 12-2-1 all-time against MSU Moorhead, including a 1-0 win last season on a goal by Andrea Muller... The Marauders are 7-1-3 all-time against the Wolves, including a 0-0 tie to close out last year, the second straight season the border rivals have played to a draw.
 
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