BISMARCK, ND – Taking advantage of a MaLiah Burke goal in the 16^th minute of play, the University of Mary soccer team claimed a 1-0 win over visiting Augustana University in Northern Sun play on homecoming weekend. The Marauders posted their sixth clean sheet of the season in the victory.
 
Playing in front of many members from the 2007 UMary women's soccer team that was inducted into the Marauders Hall of Fame on Friday, the 2024 edition of Marauders soccer exhibited the same tendencies of clutch scoring and overwhelming defensive play that the 2007 squad was known for.
 
The Marauders improve to 5-2-1 overall and 3-1-1 in the Northern Sun. UMary stands 5^th in the league standings with 10 points, pulling even with Augustana and upcoming foe St. Cloud State University. The Vikings slip to 4-4-2 overall and 3-2-1 in the NSIC.   
 
The victory snapped a 9-game Marauders losing streak to the Vikings as UMary earned its first win over Augie since 2012. It was the Marauders first home win at the Bowl over the Vikings since 2011.
 
Olivia Gardner delivered a brilliant pass from the Marauders half of midfield to spring Burke free down the left sideline. The junior from Minot, ND, raced past the Vikings defenders and caught up to the thru ball atop the left corner of the box. With  Augustana goalkeeper Aaliyah Matthews charging off her line and rapidly closing on Burke and the ball, the lone touch delivered by the Marauders forward redirected the ball past the sliding keeper towards the left side of the goal. Burke struck the ball with just enough force for it to cross the goal line in front of a pair of Vikings defenders frantically and futilely in pursuit.
 
From there the Marauders defense took control. The back line of Mo Malone, Sophia Lange, Tara Young and Allison Lepp limited the Vikings to nine total shots in the game with only one attempt on frame. That lone shot on goal came in the first half and was turned aside by goalkeeper Molly Fischer, who earned her fifth shutout of the season.  
 
UMary finished with eight shots total and three on goal. Gardner was credited with four shots and placed two on net.
 
The Marauders continue their 3-game home stand with a visit from St. Cloud State University on Friday, Oct. 11, at 3 pm for Senior Day with the University of Minnesota Duluth visiting on Sunday, October 13 at 1 pm for Family Day.  
 
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