BISMARCK, ND – Powered by a pair of first-half goals and another smothering defensive effort, the University of Mary defeated 14
th ranked Emporia State University 2-1 in the Marauders home opener.
The Marauders improve to 3-0 on the season in their final non-conference game before starting Northern Sun play next weekend. The Hornets slip to 0-3.
Kendra Park provided the Marauders an early advantage when she found the net in the 17
th minute. Pouncing on a loose ball just inside the box, Park spun and fired a shot into the upper right corner for a 1-0 UMary. It was Park's second goal of the season. Freshman
Rio Spruenken earned her third assist of the season on the goal.
The Marauders nearly doubled their lead late in the half on an
Andi Hunsicker attempt inside the right post. Rhea Bailey made the save for the Hornets but was injured on the attempt and was removed from the game.
Awarded a corner kick while facing a new Hornets goalkeeper, the Marauders struck quickly, scoring 14 seconds later. After the serve was knocked out of the goal area,
Eli Olsen tracked down the loose ball far from the net. Left alone, the junior from Buffalo, WY, crushed a 45 yard bomb just under the crossbar at the 39:37 mark to increase the UMary lead to 2-0.
The Hornets found their attack in the second half. After UMary held an 8-3 advantage in shots in the first half, Emporia State reversed course and outshot UMary 9-1 after intermission.
With UMary all-time shutout leader
Madisyn Waltman and the defense holding the Emporia State attack at bay, the Hornets finally managed to score on an Angela Palmer goal in the 81
st minute. The goal was the first allowed by the Marauders this season.
The UMary defense quickly regrouped and limited the Hornets to just two more shots the remainder of the game.
Waltman finished the game with eight saves.
Emporia State held a 12-9 edge in shots and held a 9-5 advantage in shots on frame. UMary generated six corner kicks to two for Emporia State.
UMary next opens Northern Sun play when the Marauders host St. Cloud State University on Friday, Sept. 9. Game time is 3:30 pm at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
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