THIS WEEK
The long-awaited 2016 home debut of the University of Mary women's soccer team is finally here. On opening weekend of Northern Sun competition, the Marauders first host the Wildcats of Wayne State College on Saturday, Sept. 17. The two-game set concludes on Sunday, Sept. 18, when the Augustana Vikings visit. Both contests are slated for 1 pm at Bismarck's MDU Resources Community Bowl.
 
THE RECORDS
The Marauders are 0-1-1 after two non-conferece games… The Wildcats are 3-0-1 overall and 0-0-1 in Northern Sun action… Augustana is 1-2-1 and 0-0-1 in the NSIC.
 
LAST WEEK
The Marauders opened their season with two non-conference games in Billings, Mont. Mary opened with a 5-0 loss to Western Colorado before responding with a 2-2 draw against host MSU Billings… Wayne State and Augustana opened NSIC play on Sept. 9 against one another. The result was a 1-1 tie in Wayne, NB… In addition to earning a draw with Wayne State, Augie dropped a 1-0 decision at the University of Nebraska-Kearney last Sunday.  
 
YOUTH WEEKEND
The Marauders have designated this weekend "Youth Player Recognition Weekend." Any youth soccer players in grades 8 and younger will be admitted to both games free of charge. Additionally several youth players will serve as ball holders during the games and will walk onto the field with the Marauders during the pregame introductions.
 
NSIC OPENER DELAYED
Due to construction issues surrounding the playing surface at Minot State University's Herb Parker Stadium, the Marauders originally scheduled Northern Sun opener was rescheduled from Sept. 13 to Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 7 pm.
 
RALLY
After a tough loss in the season opener, the Marauders found themselves trailing 2-0 early in the second half against MSU Billings. Despite the deficit, the Marauders fought their way to a draw, scoring the last two goals of the game. Senior forward Megan Searson delivered the Marauders first goal of the season on a penalty kick. Senior midfielder Michelle McGeary soon knotted the game after taking a feed from freshman Kylee Welch.  
 
SENIORS
A young side, the Marauders have just four seniors on their 2016 roster: goalkeeper Elizabeth Heintzman, midfielder Michelle McGeary, defender Alexis Nahring and forward Megan Searson.
 
YOUTH
The Marauders have had several freshmen make starts this season, including Kylee Welch, Patricia Martin, Tiffany Ohlhauser and Taylor Weeks. Welch, Ohlhauser and Weeks are all local products who played for assistant coach Nate Ulness at Bismarck Century High School.
 
UP NEXT
The Marauders have a home-road split next week. After playing at Bemidji State University on Wednesday, Sept. 22, the Marauders return home to cap off homecoming weekend against the University of Minnesota Crookston on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 1 pm.
 
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