BISMARCK, ND – In a final tune-up before starting the conference tournament, the University of Mary women's soccer team displayed a powerful offense and a dominant defense in an impressive 3-1 victory over visiting Northern State University in the regular season finale. Caylin Cathey produced a goal and an assists as the Marauders secured fifth place in the Northern Sun final standings and qualified for the conference tournament for the first time in five seasons.
 
The Marauders will visit Minot State University in the opening round of the NSIC tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Game time is 5 pm at Herb Parker Stadium. The winner advances to the conference semifinals on Friday, Nov. 3, at the site of the highest remaining seed after the opening round games are completed.
 
UMary finished the regular season 11-4-2 overall and 9-4-2 in the Northern Sun. The fifth place finish is the best for UMary since tying for fourth in 2011. Additionally the 11 wins is the most for the Marauders since 2011. The Marauders last NSIC tournament appearance was 2012.
 
"We are excited for the next step in the season, our part 3, The Playoffs!" said Marauders head coach Sarah Cook. "Finishing the regular season fifth, getting 11 wins on the year, having so many players hit the score sheet, we have gotten just an unbelievable effort from this group and I am so proud of them.
 
"A big thank you to our seniors Kendra Cook, Libby Patterson and Hannah Smith. They are an outstanding group of young women who have led this team from day one and we are glad we could end the regular season with a win for them at home. Now on to playoffs!"
 


The Marauders dominated the Wolves in all phases of the game. UMary held a massive 22-4 advantage in shots held a 9-3 edge in shots on frame. With a 22 mile per hour wind to their backs in the first half the Marauders took 18 shots to one for the Wolves. For the game UMary also posted six corner kicks to three for Northern State.
 
UMary struck early, once again scoring a goal off a set piece. Following a Wolves foul, Caitlin Dooley struck a free kick from 33 yards out. Sophomore midfielder Josephine Dahlberg outraced the defenders into the 6 yard box and headed Dooley's looping serve into the net just 5:54 into the match. It was Dooley's first career counter.
 
Despite continued UMary pressure in the Northern Sun defensive zone the remainder of the opening half, the Marauders were unable to find another goal and led 1-0 at intermission.
 
The Marauders faced no ill effects offensively playing into the wind in the second half. Keeping the ball on the ground instead of attacking from distance, a costly Wolves mistake led the Marauders to double their lead in the 68^th minute.
 
With control of the ball inside the penalty area, Cathey was dragged down from behind by a Northern State defender, giving the junior attacker a penalty shot. Firing low right, Cathey's shot was slowed by Wolves goalkeeper Justine Charles but the shot still had enough steam to reach the net for a 2-0 Marauders lead. Her sixth goal of the season, it proved to be Cathey's fifth game-winner.
 
Cathey keyed the Marauders final goal of the day in the 88^th minute, firing a shot off Charles. With the Wolves unable to corral the ball, Taylor Pettigrew swooped in and cleaned up the rebound, scoring her second goal this season into an open net.
 
NSU scored its lone goal on a header by Sydney Shintaffer off a corner kick at 89:16.
 
The Marauders improve to 11-4-2 overall and 9-4-2 in the NSIC. The Wolves finish the season 5-10-2 and 4-9-2.
 
#marauders#