JAMESTOWN, ND – Taking advantage of a turnover at midfield late in the match, a University of Mary counter-attack isolated the dangerous
Dina Polanco in front of the University of Jamestown net. The leading goal-scorer in the Northern Sun, Polanco once again delivered for UMary as the visiting Marauders edged the Jimmies 2-1.
The victory extends the Marauders unbeaten streak to seven games, the 3
rd-best mark since UMary began NCAA play in 2006. UMary improves to 7-2-3 overall and 6-1-2 for 17 points in the NSIC. The Marauders remain tied for second place in the NSIC with Northern State with 17 points, two points out of first place. UMary next hosts Northern State on Sunday, October 11. The Jimmies slip to 4-5-3 overall and 4-3-2 in the NSIC (7
th place with 14 points).
The Marauders, who held the advantage in shots (30-4) and shots on frame (10-2), generated numerous scoring opportunities in the first half but couldn't score.
The game was delayed less than 2' into the match when the Jimmies goalkeeper Taylor Musser was injured in a collision on a Marauders breakout.
Less than 3' into the game, the Marauders just missed taking a lead when
Maicee Burke's shot deflected off the left post. More good opportunities continued for UMary, including a shot from 10 yards out by
Lily Schatz that was turned aside on a diving save by Ellie Dake, Jamestown's backup goalkeeper.
Jamestown just missed scoring first on a cross in the 18' when Marauders goalkeeper
Kadyn Dilger captured the ball after the Jimmies just missed connecting on a headed attempt . Then in the 26', a free kick from 20 yards away by
Dina Polanco flew just over the top of the crossbar.
UMary finally broke through at 59:49 on a goal by
Maggie Bono. Picking up a carom off a defender just outside the goal box, the sophomore from Middlebury, CT, drove the ball past Dake for her first career goal.
The Marauders continued to press to extend their lead but had three shots bounce off the frame, keeping the Jimmies within striking distance.
Jamestown managed to find the equalizer in 84' when Langley Grow delivered from distance into the upper left corner of the net.
Getting right back to work, the Marauders gained control of the ball at midfield and countered.
Chloe Brand delivered a pass to Bono, and a quick touch relayed the ball into space to Polonaco. The Guatemalan national player redirected the ball from outside the left post inside the right for the winning goal at 86:49 of the match.
The goal is the 11
th of the season for Polanco, who has scored in three straight matches. She has five game-winning goals.
The Marauders then ran out the clock, producing two corner kicks and not allowing the Jimmies to take a shot.
After three straight road games, the Marauders return home to host Northern State on Sunday, October 11. The match starts at 1 pm at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
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