BISMARCK, ND –
Dina Polanco tallied twice in the final 20 minutes to rally the University of Mary to a 2-1 win over visiting University of Sioux Falls. With three regular season matches remaining, the UMary victory keeps the Marauders firmly ensconced in second place in the Northern Sun and positioned to host a tournament game.
The win over USF extends the UMary unbeaten string to 10 games. This equals the longest unbeaten streak for UMary since beginning NCAA and NSIC play in 2006, matching a 10-game run from 2022.
The Marauders, who improved to 10-2-3 overall and are second in the Northern Sun with 29 points on a record of 9-1-2 in league play, clinched a spot in the NSIC tournament for a ninth straight year. UMary also needs just two points in its next three games to clinch home field in the first round of the NSIC tournament.
Additionally, the Marauders, who are ranked fifth in the Central Region in the NCAA Power Index, will finish with a .500 or better record for the 10
th straight year. UMary hasn't had posted a losing record since 2016.
Following a scoreless first half, USF opened the scoring in the 47' on a Martina Krattley goal.
Maintain their patience, the Marauders turned to the Northern Sun's leading scorer for the equalizer.
In a scramble off a corner kick,
Alex Guinn found the ball in the 18 and squeezed a pass through traffic to Polanco, who was camped on the right side of the goal box. Without hesitation, the Guatemalan national team player drove the ball home for her 13
th goal this season at the 70:00 mark.
Continuing to ramp up the pressure,
Maggie Bono drew a foul in the penalty area to earn a penalty kick for the Marauders. Turning the ball over to Polanco, the sophomore forward delivered with a laser into the left side of the net at 78:41 for a 2-1 UMary lead.
Polanco is now second on the Marauders NCAA single-season leader board with 14 goals, just behind the 15 goals Megan Wilson scored in 2007 to lead UMary to its only NCAA tournament appearance.
UMary's defense then locked down Sioux Falls (4-6-5 overall, 2-5-5 NSIC), allowing just one off-target shot by the Cougars in the final 11 minutes of play.
The Marauders held the advantage in shots (11-8), shots on goal (5-3) and corner kicks (6-4). USF committed more fouls (10-5) and were cited for three yellow cards to one for UMary.
The Marauders next head to the University of Minnesota Crookston for a 3 pm match on Friday, October 23, before visiting MSU Moorhead for a 1 pm match on October 25.
UMary closes out the regular season on Thursday, October 29, with a 5 pm meeting with HWY 83 rival Minot State University. Fans are highly encouraged to come and support the Marauders as UMary looks to set a program attendance record against the Beavers.
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