WAYNE, NE – A first-half goal by Olivia Gardner and another impressive display of defense by the University of Mary women's soccer team carried the Marauders to a 1-0 road win over Wayne State College. The sixth straight Marauders win clinched a Northern Sun tournament berth for UMary and an opportunity to possibly host a first round game.
 
The Marauders (8-6-3 overall, 7-4-2 NSIC), who have swept three straight weekend series, are tied with Augustana for fourth place in the NSIC standings with 23 points apiece and one game remaining in the regular season.
 
UMary plays at third-place Northern State University on Thursday, November 2, at 5:30 pm, in the regular season finale. The Wolves are third in the NSIC with 26 points. A win by the Marauders would pull UMary into a tie for third place. A win by both the Marauders and the Vikings would create a 3-way tie for third place and the final two home playoff game slots.
 
It was the final minute of play in the opening half that changed the complexion of the game in dramatic fashion.
 
With the Wildcats (7-7-3, 5-5-3) looking to break out of their defensive zone, Ava Vizenor jumped in front of a Wayne State pass and quickly went on the attack. Spotting Gardner, Vizenor threaded a forward pass through defenders to find Gardner atop the penalty area. Taking a quick touch to settle the ball, Gardner ripped a shot into the upper reaches of the net with 54 seconds remaining before intermission.
 
The goal was a team-leading sixth of the season for Gardner. The Winona, MN, native has scored in three straight games and owns three game-winners.
 
Molly Fischer and the Marauders defense made sure the single goal was all UMary needed. The Wildcats fired ten shots – six on frame – and four corner kicks in the second half and Fischer was up to the challenge. The UMary goalkeeper made five saves the second half and seven for the game for her eighth clean sheet of the season.
 
In the final seven minutes of play the Marauders had to ward off three corner kicks and four shots on goal. Fischer made a save on one, a UMary defender was credited with a team save, and the two other attempts missed the frame.
 
Wayne State held the edge in shots (13-8), shots on frame (8-2) and corner kicks (6-1).
 
#marauders#