BISMARCK, N.D. – If any team at the University of Mary can't wait any longer to compete, it has to be the women's soccer side. The only Northern Sun soccer team yet to play a game, the Marauders take to the field for the first time on Thursday, Sept. 8, to start a two-game set in Billings, Montana.
The Marauders open against Western State Colorado in a neutral site match on Yellowjacket Field. Game time is 3 pm Central (2 pm Mountain). Mary rounds out the week facing Montana State University Billings on their home field at 4 pm Central (3 pm Mountain) on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Mary comes off a disappointing season that featured four losses in overtime - three of which came in the second extra session – and is another reason the Marauders can't wait for the regular season to start.
"Our focus for the season is being the best "you" so we can be the best "us"," said Marauders head coach
Sarah Cook. "I have been very impressed with the work ethic of this team so far, and the level of competition within the team. We are deeper in every position this year, which will make us stronger and able to substitute more than we ever have."
The Marauders head coach will lean heavily on her four seniors to lead the squad this season.
"You always look to your team leader to carry the weight of the team," said Cook. "Our captain, senior
Michelle McGeary, has done a tremendous job at this so far. She has also set the tone that it's everybody's role to contribute to the whole. Michelle's a versatile player who is very dynamic for us. I know she'll have an outstanding season. In addition to Michelle, fellow seniors
Megan Searson, Lexi Nahring, and Liz Heintzman have done outstanding job thus far too, and I have no doubt they will each help continue to be key role players for us this year."
McGeary is a two-time All-Northern Sun performer in the midfield. She scored one goal and had a team-high five assists last year. Searson led the team in points with 13, scoring five goals and adding three assists. She will play forward this season. Nahring, who played in all 17 games last season and started 15 on the back line, posted one assist. As a reserve goalkeeper, Heintzman had one appearance in 2015.
The Mary roster features 14 players who have yet to see game action wearing the Blue & Orange, including two transfers, nine freshmen and three redshirt freshman. Mixing in the new faces with the returning veterans has gone well, however.
"We don't want to give away too many secrets, but the team chemistry is great, the vibe is awesome, we are just ready to compete," said Cook.
The Marauders open against a Mountaineers team that has already played twice this season and has yet to allow a goal. Western Colorado opened the season with a scoreless draw against Eastern New Mexico before defeating MSU Billings 1-0 in overtime. Goalkeeper Katie Simpson-Johnson has totaled 21 saves in the two games and Jessica Kresl has scored the lone goal.
MSU Billings, who hosts this four-game set, is 0-2 on the season. In addition to their overtime loss to the Mountaineers, the Yellowjackets dropped a 2-1 decision at Colorado Christian to open the season. The Yellowjackets open the weekend against San Francisco State before facing the Marauders on Saturday.
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