BILLINGS, MT – After playing in a wide-open shootout two days earlier to kick off the season, the University of Mary women's soccer team found themselves in a game at the other end of the spectrum. Trailing early and never able to find the net, the Marauders suffered a 1-0 setback to the University of Nebraska Kearney in UMary's second and final game at the Rimrock Classic.
The Marauders opened the season with a 5-3 win over Black Hills State on Thursday.
Nebraska Kearney took advantage of a costly UMary miscue just 2:25 into the non-conference contest. Forcing the issue early, the Lopers had their first shot in the box blocked by Marauders defenders. Shortly after a UNK corner kick, the Marauders were called for a foul inside the penalty box. Awarded a penalty kick, UNK's Tori Weber delivered the only goal of the game.
The Marauders pressed the action offensively but couldn't find a goal.
Megan Lowery's shot from close off the left wing was blocked in the 11th minute. Lisa Swardh's scoring attempt from close on the right wing was denied by Lopers keeper Allie Prososki two minutes later. The Marauders flurry of attempts continued, this time it was
Jade Smith denied when her shot from the top of the box was blocked.
More scoring attempts from close continued to just miss for the Marauders. Swardh's shot from close on the right wing went high and
Hannah Richter's shot from the top of the box sailed wide. In between those efforts, a Lowery attempt from the top of the box was stopped by Prososki.
The Marauders scoring looks dwindled in the second half. After UMary outshot UNK 8-5 in the first half (3-1 edge on target), the Marauders managed only two shots in the second half to six for the Lopers.
Lowery struck UMary's last shot in the game in the 77th minute, missing high on her attempt from atop the box.
UNK finished with an 11-10 edge in shots with both teams placing four shots on goal. Swardh and Lowery both attempted three shots to pace UMary.
Making her collegiate debut, freshman
Madisyn Waltman made three saves for the Marauders.
The Marauders (1-1) open Northern Sun play Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Minot State University. It is the first of three straight conference road games next week.
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