Megan Searson on the free kick to assist on a goal against Minnesote Crookston
Mo Schroeder
0
Minnesota Crookston UMC (2-6-0 / 1-4-0 NSIC)
2
Winner University of Mary MARY (1-4-1 / 1-3-0 NSIC)
Minnesota Crookston UMC
(2-6-0 / 1-4-0 NSIC)
0
Final
2
University of Mary MARY
(1-4-1 / 1-3-0 NSIC)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Minnesota Crookston UMC 0 0 0
University of Mary MARY 2 0 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Brian Larson, U-Mary Sports Information Director

NCAA record goal by Searson leads Marauders to shutout win over Golden Eagles

BISMARCK, ND – Before fans could settle into their seats, Megan Searson brought the crowd to its feet. Just three seconds into the Northern Sun match, the University of Mary senior blasted a shot into the net from 54 yards out, an NCAA all-divisions record for fastest goal to start a game. The Marauders would add a second counter later in the opening half and eased their way to a 2-0 victory over visiting University of Minnesota Crookston.
 
With gale force winds of 33 MPH to her back, Searson took a couple kick strides and blasted a short tap off the opening kickoff from Michelle McGeary. Virtually on a line, Searson's blast travelled 54 yards and just under the crossbar before denting the back of the UMC net. It was the second goal of the season for the native of Blackburn, England.

 


The previous NCAA Division II record for fasted goal to open a game was seven seconds by Jennifer Prior of Saginaw Valley, scored against Rochester College on Sept. 24, 2003. The NCAA Division I record of :04 occurred twice, by Sylvia Forbes of Purdue against Texas A&M (8.28.09) and Yael Averbuch of North Carolina against Yale (9.3.06). The NCAA Division III mark is :06 by Sara Gross of St. Norbert against Edgewood (9.1.04).
 
"The girls executed the game plan very well today," said Marauders head coach Sarah Cook. "Set pieces are so important at this level and we capitalized on them attacking-wise. Defensively we were very organized all game. This was a great team win."
 
Using the wind and a staunch defense, the Marauders dominated the opening half and was rewarded for their efforts with a second goal in the 38th minute. Searson served a perfect ball off of a free kick across the face of the goal to the far left post to Kylee Welch. The freshman from Bismarck, ND, got her head on the ball from five yards out and redirected the pass beautifully into a wide open net for her first career goal.
 
A dominant Marauders defense smothered the Golden Eagles offense. UMC managed just one shot in the game, a header in the 71st minute that went wide right. Hannah Smith combined with Karleen Pappert for a clean sheet for the Mary goalkeepers. Smith played all but 1:20 of the game as Pappert opened the second half in net.
 
The Marauders generated 11 shots in the game, including eight in the first half. Six of the shot attempts were on frame. Lexi Gaugher made two saves in each half for the Golden Eagles. UMC did hold a 4-2 edge in corner kicks but also committed more fouls (17 to 12) and were whistled for more offsides (4 to 0).
 
Mary improves to 1-4-1 overall and 1-3-0 in the NSIC. UMC is 2-6-0 and 1-4-0.
 
The Marauders next visit the University of Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State on Oct. 1-2.
 
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