BISMARCK, ND – A pair of long range blasts by Eli Olsen and Rio Spruenken in the first half lifted the University of Mary women's soccer team to an impressive 2-1 win over visiting Bemidji State University, earning the Marauders an important Northern Sun win.
 
The win over one of the top programs in the conference boosted the Marauders (3-6-3 overall, 2-4-2 NSIC) to 11^th in the conference standings and within striking distance for one of the eight playoff slots. The Beavers (7-1-4, 5-1-2) suffered their first loss of the season.
 
"Today's game was dedicated as a memorial to Annette Pierce and to kick cancer. This gave us extra motivation to showcase a true Marauder fighting spirit today!" said UMary Head Coach Sarah Cook. "Eli Olsen set the tone early in the game for us with her rocket of goal from the direct free kick. What tremendous leadership from our senior captain!
 
"The second goal we won off a defensive effort to lock in the ball in our attacking third. Rio was spectacular with the finish. Wow!
 
"In the second half our job was to defend the lead because the elements were tough to deal with. But Molly Fischer and the backline did a great job managing the game. The midfield presence was critical. Kadyn Sharpe, Ava Vizenor and all the midfielders put in a full game shift defending very well!
 
"The team spirit, the belief, the togetherness was all there today. I'm really proud of the team!"
 
Taking advantage of a Bemidji State foul, Olsen lined up nearly 35 yards from the goal for a direct free kick. Standing on the left third of the field, the Marauders co-captain hit a low-flying rocket on a line into the upper right corner of the net for a 1-0 Marauders lead in the 32^nd minute. It was the first goal of the year for the senior defender.
 
The Marauders offensive pressure led to a second goal less than 10 minutes later. A clearing attempt by the Beavers found Spruenken and dropped at her feet. Off the bounce from 25 yards out, the all-conference midfielder drove the ball into the top left corner of the net in the 41^st minute to send UMary into intermission with a 2-0 lead.
 
Despite having to now attack into the win, the Marauders defense continued to limit the Beavers chances late into the game before the Beavers found their stride.
 
After taking just four shots in the first 35 minutes of the second half, the Beavers fired four shots on frame in the final ten minutes. BSU broke onto the scoreboard on a penalty kick in the 75 seconds left to play to cut the lead in half. Twice in the final minute Fischer had to make saves, including one sprawling stop at the final whistle to preserve the UMary win.
 
Fischer finished with five saves for the Marauders, one more than Bemidji State's Edie Frantzen.
 
The Marauders finished with six shots in the game, all on frame. Both Olsen and Spruenken had two apiece.
 
The Beavers finished with the advantage in shots (10-6) and corner kicks (7-4). Both teams had six shots on net.
 
The Marauders wrap up the weekend with a visit from the University of Minnesota Crookston on Sunday, October 15. Game time on Alumni Appreciation Day is 1 pm at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
 
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