ST. CLOUD, MN – Making their first appearance in the Northern Sun Women's Soccer Championship game in 17 years, the University of Mary fell just short of its title hopes in a 2-0 loss to Bemidji State University.
 
The 6^th-seeded Marauders entered the championship game on a heater, winning eight of their last nine games, including two tournament contests. UMary allowed just three goals during a run that started with a 2-1 home win over Bemidji State, with both goals against the Beavers coming in the first half.
 
The roles reversed on championship Sunday as #4 seed Bemidji State scored both goals in the opening half of the neutral site game played in St. Cloud, MN.
 
The Beavers scored early off a set piece when Halle Peterson scored on a corner kick in the 15^th minute.
 
The Marauders had a couple chances to pull even but just missed. A Grace Freimuth one-timer from just outside the goal box off a cross from the right side was saved by Beavers goalkeeper Edie Frantzen in the 23^rd minute. Two minutes later Olivia Gardner's scoring attempt sailed over the goal. Two other Marauders shots later in the half were off target.
 
The Beavers doubled their advantage in the 40^th minute on a through ball played to Katrina Barthelt.
 
UMary continued to press but missed on two more shots before a Gardner attempt towards the bottom right of the net was turned aside in the 43^rd minute.
 
The Marauders continued to have the edge in shots for the second half but UMary was unable to dent Bemidji State's defense as the Beavers won their second straight conference tournament to earn the Northern Sun's automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.
 
UMary fished the game with edges in shots (13-4), shots on frame (4-3) and corner kicks (4-3). Both teams had seven fouls.
 
Mo Malone, Eli Olsen and Olivia Gardner earned 2023 Northern Sun All-Tournament honors for their efforts.

The Marauders now await the release of the NCAA tournament brackets to see if they earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Central Regional. The selection show is 5:30 pm Monday, November 13 at 5:30 pm  on NCAA.com.
 
UMary is 10-8-3 on the season and finished 5^th in the NSIC with a record of 7-5-2. The Marauders made their 6^th straight postseason appearance and reached 10 wins for the 8th time in the program's NCAA era (2006 and later) and 16th time overall.
 
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