DULUTH, MN – A pair of first-half goals from the University of Mary's top two scorers and another stellar defensive effort carried the Marauders to a huge 2-1 road win over the University of Minnesota Duluth. Unbeaten in its last five games - including a weekend sweep – UMary moved into fifth place in the Norther Sun standings.
Of to the program's best start in over a decade, the Marauders are 7-2-2 overall and 5-2-2 in the NSIC. UMD is 7-4-1 and 4-4-1.
"Wow, what a great weekend," said Marauders head coach
Sarah Cook. "This was a huge win on the road to keep us in position for next weekend's doubleheader on the road. Minnesota Duluth is an excellent side so we knew set pieces would be key in this matchup. We defended them flawlessly and took advantage attacking-wise."
The Marauders opened the scoring in the 24
th minute of play. On UMary's third corner kick of the day,
Cassidy Pierce connected with
Megan Lowery for the first goal of the game. In midair, Lowery headed Pierce's serve into the net for a 1-0 Marauders lead. It was a team-high sixth goal of the season for Lowery and the second assist for the freshman Pierce. The pair combined for a similar goal the Sunday prior in a 1-1 draw with Sioux Falls.
A Bulldogs mistake in the penalty area directly led to the Marauders second goal. UMD was called for a handball, providing the Marauders a penalty kick.
Caylin Cathey stepped forward and drilled the ball home at 38:05 to double UMary's lead to 2-0. It was the junior forward's fifth goal of the season and eventually became her third game-winner of the year.
UMD pressed early in the second half, launching two corner kicks and a shot on frame in the opening ten minutes but UMary goalkeeper
Hannah Smith and the Marauders defense was up to the challenge.
Destiny Schmitz finally put the Bulldogs on the board in the 75
th minute, scoring her fourth goal of the season when the Marauders defense had issues attempting to clear the ball out of their zone.
UMary quickly regrouped. While the last four shots of the game were taken by the Bulldogs, only one shot was on goal and Smith kept it out of the net for her sixth and final save of the day.
UMD held the advantage in shots (14-11) and shots on frame (7-5) but UMary claimed the advantage in corner kicks (7-5).
Including the 1-0 win Friday over St. Cloud State, UMary is 4-0-1 in its last five games. Also the Marauders streak of allowing no more than one goal in a game this season extended was extended to all 11 games.
The Marauders are next in action on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14-15, at Winona State and Upper Iowa.
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