BISMARCK, ND – In a match befitting two teams tied for second place in the Northern Sun and fighting for regional and national notoriety, University of Mary captain
Chloe Brand delivered the game's only goal with 24 seconds remaining on the clock as the Marauders edged visiting Northern State University 1-0.
The Marauders, ranked 5
th in the latest coaches' regional poll, improve to 8-2-3 overall and 7-1-2 in the NSIC for 23 points and second place in the league standings. UMary is two points behind NSIC-leading Minnesota State University with five games to play. The Wolves slip to 7-3-2 overall and 6-2-2 in the NSIC for 3
rd place with 20 points.
A defensive battle with neither team able to generate a consistent attack, scoring opportunities were extremely limited. While Northern State held an 8-5 edge in shots for the game, both sides posted a scant two shots on frame. UMary held a 4-2 edge in corners with the Marauders being whistled for eight fouls to six for the Wolves.
Demonstrating a propensity this season to score in the closing seconds, the Marauders showed no panic as the clock kept winding down. UMary had already scored goals with 65 seconds remaining in one game and 34 seconds in another to earn draws.
In the final minute with Northern State taking a goal kick into the wind,
Addison Massey beat everyone to the ball at midfield and immediately played the ball down the right flank into space for Brand. The senior from London, England, ran down the ball just inside the 18 and fired a blast off the bounce towards the upper right corner of the net. A valiant diving effort by Audrey Burns came up just short as the ball barely deflected off the fingertips of the NSU goalkeeper to set off a wild celebration by the Marauders.
Kadyn Dilger picked up her fifth clean sheet of the season for UMary as the junior made two saves in the game.
The Marauders home stand continues on Friday, October 16, when UMary hosts Southwest Minnesota State University for the Senior Recognition Game at 3 pm.
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