BISMARCK, ND – Playing their season opener on campus, the University of Mary men's soccer team defended the Marauders home field with pride against the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. In front of a large, raucous crowd of 526, the Marauders scored a goal in each period to bring home a 2-0 victory against the Hardrockers.

The crowd size is believed to be a school record fo men's soccer.  
 
Lukas Billhardt made his season debut in goal for the Marauders and pitched a shutout in his 90 minutes of action. The Germany native missed the first game of the season but proved the wait was well worth it with a stellar performance in goal, making one save to post a clean sheet.
 
Gabriel Carvalho proved that his goals in the exhibition matches were no fluke as he scored the first goal of the season for the Marauders. Carvalho received a pass from Mitch Carter across midfield as he was streaking up the sidelines and took it from there. Carvalho brought the ball up the left side of the field uncontested for a one-on-one shot against the goalie. Carvalho won the matchup as he drilled the ball into the middle of the net to put the Marauders up 1-0 in the 27^th minute.
 
Adam Stringer was able to get himself on the scoresheet in the second period with a goal to put the Marauders up 2-0. It was Stringer's stealthy defense that lead to his goal. Stringer blocked the attempt of the Hardrockers goalkeeper to clear the ball, gained control of the ball and fired a shot in past the keeper. This was Stringer's first goal of the season.
 
The Marauders kept their composure to win in a very chippy match that features 10 yellow cards (seven by UMary and three by SDSMT). Two red cards were issued to the Hardknockers.
 
The Marauders will head to Billings, MT, next weekend for two matches. The first will be against Sonoma State University on September 7 at 12 pm and the second will be against Colorado Christian University on September 9 at 3 pm. The Marauders will be back on campus to defend their undefeated home record on September 13 at 5 pm as they take on Simon Fraser University.
 
#marauders#