ABERDEEN, SD – Riding a six-game win streak with hopes of capturing home field in the opening round of the Northern Sun soccer tournament, the University of Mary had its dreams dashed by a late goal in a 1-0 loss at Northern State University. The Wolves goal in the 88th minute of play sets up a rematch between the two teams to kick off the NSIC tournament with the Marauders making a return trip to Aberdeen.
The final regular season game of the season was played with playoff intensity as entering the game both teams needed wins to secure a home game in the tournament. With the win, Northern State claimed third in the NSIC regular season standings with UMary finishing in a tie for 5
th place and earning the sixth seed.
The postseason rematch between the Marauders and the Wolves is currently set for 4 pm on Monday, November 6, in Aberdeen, SD. The winner advances to the NSIC semifinals on Friday, November 10, at the site of the top remaining seed following first round play. The championship game is slated for Sunday, November 12.
The Marauders held the upper hand on the attack in the first half, taking six shots with three on frame. At the same time, UMary limited Northern State to just a single shot with
Molly Fischer making the save. The Wolves did earn two corner kicks to one for the Marauders. Neither found the mark as UMary cleared one service with a header and held firm on the other.
The Wolves had the first quality opportunity of the second half. After a long run to just inside the 18 yard box, Megan Fastenau fired a shot just high and wide left of the frame.
UMary had a run into the penalty area to the right of the goal box in the 61
st minute but were unable to unleash a shot.
Northern State turned the pitch around in the 65
th minute but a dangerous cross was cleared away by a UMary defender before Fischer eventually corralled the ball. Another scoring opportunity from just outside the goal box by NSU's Hannah Smith in the 66
th minute sailed wide, just missing the left post.
The Marauders followed suit and increased pressure on the Wolves defense.
Grace Freimuth, who had two goals in the win a week earlier at Sioux Falls, rolled a shot just wide of the right post from the penalty mark in the 69
th minute. Less than 60 seconds later
Olivia Gardner fired a left-footed shot from the left of the penalty mark targeted for inside the right post was turned away by a diving save from Wolves goalkeeper Alexus Townsend.
The Wolves nearly broke onto the scoreboard in the 73
rd minute when Fastenau rolled a cross attempt across the face of the Marauders goal but neither of two Northern State teammates could get a touch for a deflection. Another cross attempt minutes later was hauled in by Fischer. UMary withstood another scoring opportunity in the 76
th minute when a shot by Lizzy Rawlings went wide right.
Garder fired a shot from 25 yards out but Townsend was able to make the save in the 82nd minute.
A free kick for the Marauders from 35 yards out with less than five minutes to play was knocked down and a subsequent ball lofted into the box was cleared away by the Wolves.
Disaster struck for the Marauders in the 88
th minute as Fastenau broke loose with the ball in the 18 yard box and knocked home a shot into the bottom right of the net.
Refusing to quit, the Marauders put a couple long shots on frame in the final 100 seconds but both attempts were turned aside.
The Marauders (8-7-3 overall, 7-5-2) held a significant statistical edge in most categories, including shots attempted (12-5) and shots on frame (8-2). The Wolves (9-3-5, 8-1-5) had the advantage on corner kicks 3-2.
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