BISMARCK, ND – A persistent attack by the University of Mary soccer team finally broke the defense of visiting Southwest Minnesota State University in a 1-0 Marauders win. Holding a decisive edge in scoring opportunities on a wet, overcast day, Grace Freimuth blasted home a second half goal to carry the Marauders to victory.
 
After two losses by a single goal and a scoreless draw to open Northern Sun play, the Marauders broke through with their first conference win to improve to 2-4-2 overall and 1-2-1 in NSIC play. SMSU falls to 1-5-0/1-1-1.
 
"The team showed their courage and grittiness in today's win," said Marauders Head Coach Sarah Cook. "We really played well throughout the whole game, but when you're not being rewarded with a goal, that pressure can build up and frustrate you. Instead, the team persevered. They believed and kept on with the game plan.
 
"I'm very proud of the collective group effort to achieve victory today, they deserve it!"
 
The Mustangs nearly opened the scoring as a header off a free kick looked to settle right under the cross bar. Marauders goalkeeper Molly Fischer skied to knock the ball away and UMary defender Sophia Lange cleared the ball. Fisher was forced to make another save in traffic late in the first half to keep the match scoreless at intermission.
 
Outside the pair of SMSU scoring opportunities the Marauders dominated the run of play in the first 45 minutes, holding a 13-3 edge in shots and a 5-2 advantage in shots on frame.
 
UMary had several scoring opportunities to start the second half. Olivia Gardner blasted a shot off the top right of the frame in the 57^th minute, leading directly to a handball call on the Mustangs and a penalty kick for the Marauders. Looking to place the ball in the bottom left corner, Malone's attempt was turned aside by SMSU goalkeeper Kenna Conley.
 
The Marauders continued to press and finally broke through in the 61^st minute.
 
With Malone carrying the ball in the penalty area and fighting through multiple defenders, she found Freitmuth to the left of the goal box. Left alone, the Marauders freshman from North Oaks, MN, fired a shot towards the right post of the goal past Conley and heading towards UMary forward MaLiah Burke. Stepping in front of Burke and looking to clear the ball, SMSU defender Madi Foutz deflected Freimuth's shot into the net for her first career goal.   
 
A stout Marauders defense ensured the goal would hold up, limiting the Mustangs to only a pair of shots over the last 29 minutes.
 
UMary finished the game with a decisive edge in shots (23-6), shots on frame (9) and corner kicks.
 
Fischer made three saves to record her fourth complete sheet of the season. Conley posted eight saves, including several impressive stops.
 
After playing their last three games at home the Marauders now embark on a 3-game road trip. The first stop is at Augustana University on Friday, September 29.
 
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