BEMIDJI, MN – Another memorable season for the University of Mary concluded in the opening round of the Northern Sun women's soccer tournament. Despite another impressive performance by goalkeeper Madisyn Waltman in her final game for the Marauders, #2 seed Bemidji State University edged #7 UMary 1-0.
 
Very similar to the first Marauders-Beavers meeting of the year on October 21 in which BSU scored the game's only two goals in the second half, both defenses limited scoring opportunities in the first half. UMary's best chance came in the 7^th minute of the game when Olivia Gardner's shot from just inside the top middle-left of the 18 went wide right. The two sides combined for four shots with Bemidji State placing the only shot on frame.
 
The Beavers offense started to put pressure on the Marauders defense early in the second half. In the 59^th minute, Bemidji State turned a corner kick into a driving header that Waltman was able to snare.
 
Just a minute later the Beavers finally solved the Marauders defense. Awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area on the top left side after a Marauders foul, Halle Peterson scored into the right side of the net at 60:09.
 
A minute later the Beavers nearly added a second goal but Waltman again came up big on another header attempt by BSU.
 
The Marauders soon made a run at pulling even. A cross into the goal area in the 69^th minute just missed connecting. In the 78^th minute a long drive by Rio Spruenken missed left. Another long cross attempt by Gardner pulled Beavers goalkeeper Georgiana Harber out of the net to prevent a potential equalizer for the Marauders.
 
Waltman made the save of the game in the 84^th minute. Facing a shot from Sarah Wendt that appeared headed to the upper right corner of the net, Waltman made a diving effort to safely deflect the ball and keep the Marauders hopes alive.
 
The Beavers ended the match with an edge in shots (9-3), shots on frame (6-0) and corner kicks (6-2).
 
Waltman finished the day with five saves. The two-time All-Northern Sun performer and four-year starter finishes her career at the Marauders all-time leader in shutouts with 34. She led the Marauders to four straight NSIC post-season appearances.
 
The Marauders fifth straight NSIC tournaments, UMary finished a successful 2022 season 10-5-4. This was the 7^th time the Marauders have cracked double digits in wins in the program's NCAA era (beginning 2006) and 15^th time overall. UMary is one of just four Northern Sun teams to reach double figures in wins this year.  
 
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