BISMARCK, ND – Maureen Sullivan provided a spark off the bench to lift the University of Mary to a fourth straight win for the Marauders, all by shutout. The senior scored a goal and later added an assist in UMary's 2-0 win over visiting Upper Iowa University.
 
The Marauders remain undefeated in Northern Sun play and sit second in the league with 13 points on a record of 4-0-1. Overall the Marauders are 5-1-2. Upper Iowa is 5-2/3-2.
 
"The team has been so eager to play at home, this was a excellent way to start off our home stand," said Marauders head coach Sarah Cook. "Today, they displayed patience and a high level of grit and tenacity in the second half to earn the victory. Maureen Sullivan was unbelievable. She had a brilliant game and I am so proud of her. Brianna Ramey also scored a great goal to seal the game!
 
"Defensively we were very sound, limiting their opportunities the whole game. I'm really proud of the work the whole team put in to achieve the shut out."
 
In a matchup between the top two defensive teams in the Northern Sun, the two sides played a scoreless first half. Only three shots were generated, all by UMary, with one on frame. The Marauders also had a 4-1 edge in corner kicks but couldn't find a way to score.
 
The Marauders came inches from a goal early in the second half when Hannah Richter rolled a low shot past Upper Iowa goalkeeper Natalie Rudrud that struck the left post and bounced away.
 
UMary broke on top in the 60^th minute. Samantha Guzman broke in alone and fired a point blank shot at Rudrud, who made the initial save. The ball rebounded right back to Guzman, who then slipped the ball to the left to an open Sullivan in the goal box. After an initial touch, the senior slid and tapped the ball into the net just inside the left post for Sullivan's first counter of the year.
 
Seven minutes later Sullivan set up the Marauders second goal of the game. Breaking down the Peacocks defense with a run down their right flank, Sullivan played the ball back to the middle of the field to Brianna Ramey. The Marauders freshman took the field atop the penalty box and fired a shot low into the left corner of the net for a 2-0 UMary lead.
 
Defensively UMary limited UIU to five total shots, all in the second half. Only three were on frame and all were turned aside by Marauders goalkeeper Madisyn Waltman. This was Waltman's 22^nd career clean sheet, moving the junior into a second place tie with Rachel Dietrich for career shutouts at UMary. Kristin Werner is the Marauders career leader in shutouts with 25.
 
The Marauders finished the game with nine shots, including five on goal. In addition to a 9-5 edge in shots, the Marauders also held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
UMary's four-game home stand continues Sunday, Oct. 3, when the Marauders host Winona State University at 1 pm to kick off Homecoming week.
 
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