BISMARCK, ND – Facing their biggest weekend challenge of the year, the University of Mary women's soccer team shut down the two best scoring attacks in the Northern Sun earned an important four points in the conference standings despite facing two of the league's best sides. After defeating the nation's 4^th ranked and defending NSIC tournament champion Minnesota State University Mavericks 2-1 on Friday, the Marauders wrapped up their homestand with a scoreless draw against the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears, the NSIC's leader entering today's match.
 
Combined, the Mavericks and the Golden Bears scored one goal against the Marauders, who lead the NSIC in fewest goals allowed and now are giving up an average of 0.29 goals against/game. MSU entered the weekend averaging over three goals per game and the Golden Bears more than two.
 
"We played two very good teams this weekend and walked away with four out of a possible six points," said Marauders head coach Sarah Cook. "I am very pleased with those results and tremendously proud of the team!
 
"Also we would like to thank all our alumni who came out to support us this weekend to celebrate 25 years of Marauders soccer. Our first coach, Paul Stubbs, built an amazing foundation. We take so much pride in the name and representing those who came before us and paved the way for this program."
 
On another gusty day with winds well over 20 miles per hour, the Marauders held off the potent Golden Bears attack with the winds behind Concordia-St. Paul in the first half. UMary faced 11 shots total in the opening with Madisyn Waltman posting six saves. The back line of Cassidy Pierce, Samantha Guzman, Malia Brudvik and Kylee Welch kept most of the Golden Bears shot attempts at a distance.
 
In the second half with the wind now to the Marauders backs, UMary held a 6-2 edge in shots on frame and a 3-1 edge in shots on goal.
 
In the two extra sessions, the Golden Bears placed the only shots in goal but Waltman was up to the task, making two saves in the first session and one in the second.
 
For Waltman and the Marauders, this was their fifth clean sheet of the season. The sophomore goalkeeper finished with 10 saves. CSP's Jordyn Clark had three.
 
The Golden Bears had the edge in shots (16-8), shots on frame (10-3) and corner kicks (5-3) while also holding a 54-46 percent advantage in possession. CSP was also cited five times for offsides to none for UMary.
 
The Marauders improves to 5-1-1 overall and 2-1-2 in the Northern Sun. The Golden Bears are 7-0-2 and 4-0-2.
 
UMary now travels to the University of Minnesota Crookston for a match on Friday, Oct. 11, and at defending NSIC regular season champion Bemidji State University on Sunday, Oct. 13.
 
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