LAKEWOOD, CO – Striking for an early goal before turning the game over to the defense, the University of Mary men's soccer team defeated homestanding Colorado Christian University 1-0 to earn the Marauders first win of the season.
Coming off a lopsided loss at 13
th ranked Simon Fraser in a game the Marauders found themselves trailing early and unable to catch up, UMary tonight used the SFU game plan to knock off CCU.
Less than a minute into the match, the Cougars (0-2 overall) tried to draw early blood but Marauders goalkeeper
Ludvig Rhodin turned away the CCU scoring attempt with the first of his four saves on the night.
The Marauders (1-1 overall) then countered, taking advantage of what seemed to be a benign foul called on the Cougars from over 45 yards away from the CCU goal. Awarded a free kick, freshman
Joel McIlroy blasted a shot into the top of the goal, giving the Marauders a 1-0 lead just 2:45 into the game. It was the first collegiate goal for the native of Larne, Northern Ireland.
The UMary defense then took over, holding CCU at bay for the next 77 minutes. The Cougars mustered 12 total shots in the game but only four were on net. Additionally CCU managed just three corner kicks. The last occurred in the 87
th minute but didn't generate a scoring attempt. John Alderman attempted a shot in the closing minute but sailed his attempt high over the net as Rhodin and the UMary defense finished the game with a clean sheet.
Offensively the Marauders managed only eight shots of their own with three on frame, along with five corner kicks. UMary was whistled for 17 fouls to 12 for CCU but the Cougars were cited for more yellow cards, 2-to-1.
Austin Ellingson,
Pablo Torne and McIlroy each had two shot attempts in the game for the Marauders.
The Marauders next start a four-game home stand when Rocky Mountain College visits on Sunday, Sept. 10.
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