MARAUDERS HOST BSU IN 2026 NSIC PLAYOFF OPENER
The 2026 Northern Sun regular season women's soccer conference co-champion University of Mary Marauders hosts Bemidji State University in the opening round of the NSIC tournament at 4 pm on Monday, November 2 at the MDU Resources Community Bowl in Bismarck, ND. The Marauders are the #2 seed while the Beavers are the #7 seed.
 
This is the first time UMary has hosted an NSIC playoff game since 2008.
 
CHAMPIONS!
For the first time in program history, the University of Mary women's soccer team is the Northern Sun conference champion. The Marauders claimed a share of the 2026 NSIC women's soccer championship after finishing the league season with a record of 12-1-2 for 38 points. Undefeated in their last 13 games, the Marauders are 13-2-3 overall this season.
 
UMary tied Minnesota State University for the conference title.
 
MARAUDERS #2 SEED IN 2026 NSIC TOURNAMENT
The Marauders are the #2 seed in the 2026 NSIC soccer tournament.
 
UMary and Minnesota State University are co-champions. The Mavericks earned the top seed in the upcoming NSIC tournament on the basis of a 3-0 home win over the Marauders in the second game of the conference season.
 
2026 NSIC Soccer Tournament Opening Round Pairings (Monday, November 2)
#8 St. Cloud State at #1 Minnesota State (1 pm)
#7 Bemidji State at #2 UMary (4 pm)
#6 Augustana at #3 Minnesota Duluth (4 pm)
#5 Concordia-St. Paul at Northern State (5 pm)
 
Top-remaining seed after opening round will host the NSIC semifinals and championship game.
 
NSIC Semifinals | Friday, November 6
Minnesota State/SCSU winner vs. Augustana/UMD winner
UMary/BSU winner vs. NSU/CSP winner
 
NSIC Championship | 2 pm Sunday, November 8
Minnesota State/SCSU/Augustana/UMD winner vs. UMary/BSU/NSU/CSP winner
 
The NSIC tournament champion earns an automatic berth in the NCAA Central Region tournament.
 
TICKET INFORMATION | UMARY VS. UMD

• CASH ONLY ticket sales begin at 3 pm (1 hour before game time) at the main North entrance of the MDU Resources Community Bowl
• Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students (age 6 through college). Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.
• Prices are set by the NSIC.
• Passes are not accepted

NOTE: The first 200 UMary students with a valid MCard will be admitted to the match for free.
 
MARAUDERS 5^th IN NPI CENTRAL REGION RANKINGS
The University of Mary ranks 5^th in the Central Region in the NCAA Women's Soccer NCAA Power Index (NPI), featuring games through October 29. Nationally the Marauders rank 38^th in NCAA Division II out of 259 teams.
 
The primary purpose of NPI is to compare teams within NCAA Division II for ranking and NCAA championship selection. Once automatic qualifiers are determined, remaining teams are considered for at-large selection based on NPI ranking until the championship field is filled.
 
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), the Mid-America Athletic Association (MIAA) and the Great American Conference (GAC) make up the 36-team NCAA Central Region. The top eight teams in the region will advance to the NCAA region tournament. Automatic bids are granted to the winners of the MIAA, GAC and NSIC postseason tournaments, with the remaining five spots awarded on an at-large basis. The two top-seeded teams in each region shall be offered the opportunity to host, provided minimum site selection criteria are met and a bid has been submitted. 
 
The NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship provides for a 56-team, single-elimination tournament. The top eight teams in the central region will compete in the championship.
 
The top ten teams in the NPI from the Central Region are: Minnesota State (NSIC), Washburn (MIAA), Pittsburg State (MIAA), Central Missouri (MIAA), UMary (NSIC), Central Oklahoma (MIAA), Augustana (NSIC), Missouri Western (MIAA), Northern State (NSIC), University of Minnesota Duluth (NSIC) and Concordia-St. Paul (NSIC). Harding is the top GAC team in the Central Region rankings at #15. 
 
MARAUDERS REMAIN 5^th IN IWSOC REGIONAL RANKINGS
For a fourth straight week the Marauders rank 5^th in the Central Region of the Intercollegiate Women's Soccer Organization for Coaches (IWSOC) Division II Coaches Poll in Partnership with United Soccer Coaches released October 27. UMary is one of six NSIC teams in the IWSOC regional rankings: Minnesota State (1), Northern State University (7), University of Minnesota Duluth (8), Bemidji State University (9) and Augustana (10).
 
THE RECORDS
The Marauders are 13-2-3 overall and finished as co-champions in the NSIC with a record of 12-1-2 for 38 points… The Beavers are 8-4-6 overall and placed 7^th in the NSIC with a record of 7-3-5 (26 points).
 
FOLLOW LIVE
Links to live stats and video are available at www.goumary.com/coverage.
 
MARAUDERS WEBCASTS STREAMED LIVE ON NSIC NETWORK POWERED BY MIDCO SPORTS NET
For the first time this season, all Northern Sun and Marauders home contests will stream live on the NSIC Network powered by Midco Sports Net. Games can be purchased individually for $10. To view all tournament games, consider purchasing a monthly subscription for $15 or an annual subscription for $79. Visit www.MidcoSportsPlus.com to subscribe today.
 
LAST WEEK
The Marauders closed out the regular season with a 4-1 home win over Minot State to clinch their first NSIC championship. Dina Polanco delivered a penalty kick just 72 seconds into the match to give UMary a lead. Alex Guinn doubled the Marauders lead in the 25' when she scored on a header off a corner kick from Ivy Wessel. Minot State scored on a penalty just before half. UMary responded with second half goals by Polanco and Harlee Peltz.
 
586
The Marauders set a single game attendance record with 586 fans on October 29, 2026, when UMary defeated Minot State to win an NSIC championship.
 
BAKER'S DOZEN
The Marauders are undefeated over their last 13 games, the longest in program history since starting NCAA and NSIC play in 2006. UMary had a 10-match unbeaten run in 2022.
 
TEN STRAIGHT
The Marauders will finish with a winning record in 2026, making this the 10^th straight season for UMary without a losing record. The Marauders have finished with a break-even or better every season since 2017.
 
9^th CONSECUTIVE NSIC TOURNEY BERTH CLINCHED
The Marauders will compete in the NSIC tournament for a ninth straight year.
 
HISTORY LESSON | UMary vs. Bemidji State

• UMary is 4-13-3 against BSU since 2009
• The Marauders have won the last two meetings in Bismarck (2-1 in 2023, 2-0 in 2026)
• LAST MEETING Kadyn Dilger made four saves to earn a clean sheet and Bella Kozlowski and Dina Polanco scored second half goals to earn the Marauders a 2-0 home win on September 27, 2026.

 
UMARY NSIC TOURNAMENT RESULTS
The Marauders are 11-10-4 all-time in the NSIC tournament. UMary won the tournament its first two times in the league (2006, 2007). In the three draws the Marauders have advanced once, edging Bemidji State in 2018 in a shootout on penalty kicks.
 
2006  
W | 1-0 at Northern State (quarterfinals)
W | 1-0 v Concordia-St. Paul (semifinals at Winona, MN)
W | 1-0 at Winona State (championship game at Winona, MN)
 
2007  
W | 1-0 v Bemidji State (quarterfinals at Bismarck, ND)
W | 1-0 v Southwest Minnesota State (semifinals at Aberdeen, SD)
W | 1-0 v MSU Moorhead (championship game at Aberdeen, SD)
 
2008  
W | 1-0 at University of Minnesota Duluth (quarterfinals)
 L | 0-1 in OT at Winona State (semifinals)
 
2009  
T | 0-0 in 2 OT at Minnesota State (quarterfinals, MSU advances 3-2 on penalty kicks)
 
2010  
L | 0-1 at Minnesota Duluth (quarterfinals)
 
2011  
L | 1-2 at St. Cloud State (quarterfinals)
 
2012  
L | 1-2 at Minot State (quarterfinals)
 
2017  
W | 1-0 at Minot State (quarterfinals)
L | 0-6 at Minnesota State (semifinals)
 
2018  
T | 0-0 in 2OT at Bemidji State (quarterfinals, UMary advances 8-7 on penalty kicks)
L | 1-3 v Minot State (semifinals at Mankato, MN)
 
2019  
T | 1-1 at Minnesota State University (quarterfinals, MSU advances 6-5 on penalty kicks)
 
2020 (No tournament due to pandemic)
 
2021  
L | 0-1 at Minnesota State (quarterfinals)
 
2022  
L | 0-1 at Bemidji State (quarterfinals)
 
2023
W | 1-0 at Northern State (quarterfinals)
W | 1-0 vs. Concordia-St. Paul (semifinals in St. Cloud, MN)
L | 0-2 vs. Bemidji State (championship game in St. Cloud, MN)
 
2024
W | 2-1 at #4 St. Cloud State OT (quarterfinals)
T | 0-0 at Minnesota State University (semifinals, MSU advances 5-3 on penalty kicks)
 
2025
L | 1-2 at #1 Minnesota State (quarterfinals)
 
POLANCO PACING NSIC IN SCORING
Marauders all-conference and all-region midfielder is dialed in with 20 goals in 18 matches. She also has two assists and owns 42 points this season. Polanco leads the NSIC in points (42), goals (20) and game-winning goals (8). She also leads the NSIC in shots (4.89/game) and shots on goal (2.56/game).
 
POLANCO LEADS NCAA D2 IN GAME-WINNING GOALS
Dina Polanco leads NCAA D2 in game-winning goals (8), ranks 3^rd in total goals (20) and total points (42), 4^th in points/game (2.33), 5^th in goals/game (1.11), 8^th in shots/game (4.89) and 9^th in shots on goal/game (2.56).
 
POLANCO BREAKS UMARY NCAA RECORD FOR GOALS, POINTS IN SINGLE SEASON
Dina Polanco is the new Marauders single-season leader in goals scored (20) and points (42) since UMary began NCAA and NSIC play on 2006.
 
Polanco is the fourth Marauder to score 10 or more goals in an NCAA season, joining Megan Wilson (15 in 2007), Alex Bachman-Williams (13 in 2011), and Olivia Gardner (10 in 2024 and 2025).
 
Polanco is the 3^rd UMary player with 30 points in an NCAA season, joining Megan Wilson (33 points in 2007) and Alex Bachman-Williams (31 in 2011).
 
In program history, Polanco's 20 goals and 42 points ranks 5^th in a single season in both categories. Nicole Benedict owns the single season record for goals with 27 in 2003. The single-season points record is 61 by Kate Theisz in 1997.
 
BRAND NAME
Chloe Brand continues to show her ability to generate offense from the back line. The senior defender and team captain is 2^nd in the NSIC with seven assists and 16^th in points (11 points on two goals and seven assists). Brand shined in back-to-back games with an assist on the game-winning goal at Jamestown before scoring the game-winning goal with 24 seconds remaining in the Marauders 1-0 win over Northern State. Last season the All-NSIC player posted three goals and two assists.
 
KEEPING IT CLEAN
The Marauders have nine shutouts this season. Kadyn Dilger leads the way with seven clean sheets this season and 15 career shutouts. The junior from Big Lake, MN, was the NSIC goalkeeper of the week after the clean sheets against the Warriors and the Bulldogs... Additionally Dilger and Elena Van Heukelom have combined forces in a pair of shutouts vs. MSU Billings and SMSU.
 
FIRSTS
A trio of freshman have scored Marauders goals this season. Alex Guinn, Cate Jenesa and Lily Schatz (3 goals) have all tallied counters in their first collegiate season.
 
DEBUTS
The Marauders have had 14 players make their UMary debut this season: Alex Guinn, Cate Jesena, Lillian Schatz, Matilda Walker, Portia Casci, Josey Hall, Sofia Larranaga, Johanna Menge, Gabriella Newell, Mia Stretcha, Elena Van Heukelom, Alejandro Vargas, Camdyn Varty and Ivy Wessel. All are freshmen except for Wessel and Walker, both sophomores who transferred to UMary this season.
 
ALL AROUND THE WORLD
UMary features eight international students: Chloe Brand (England), Johanna Menge (Germany), Dina Polanco (Guatemala), Mia Strecha (Austria), Emmy Strobel (Germany), Elena Van Heukelom (Germany), Alejandra Vargas (Spain) and Matilda Walker (England).
 
DON'T LEAVE EARLY
The Marauders are never out of a game, twice scoring with less than 90 seconds to earn a draw and once with 24 seconds to earn a win. Dina Polanco scored off a feed from Maggie Bono with 65 seconds left in the opener to earn a 1-1 draw with Western Oregon… In the NSIC opener, the Marauders trailed the Huskies 2-0 with under 5:00 to play. Polanco took a feed from Chloe Brand with 4:17 to play to cut the UMary deficit in half. With 34 seconds left Polanco delivered a penalty kick to earn a draw… Chloe Brand scored the game-winner off an Addison Massey assist with 24 seconds left to defeat Northern State 1-0.
 
POLANCO EARNS SPOT ON TEAM GUATEMALA
UMary sophomore midfielder Dina Polanco is a native of Guatemala is a member of her country's national team. Polanco played in World Cup-qualifying matches for her home country and contributed goals in multiple games.
 
WE'RE BACK
The Marauders return 13 players from last season:

• Seniors Chloe Brand, Payton Kooiman and Kadyn Sharpe
• Juniors Maicee Burke, Kadyn Dilger, Bella Kozlowski and Harlee Peltz
• Sophomores Maggie Bono, Addison Massey, Dina Polanco, Emmy Strobel, Sarah Weaver and Ivy Wessel

 
120
Marauders head coach Sarah Cook earned her 100th victory at UMary in the Marauders 2-1 overtime win at St. Cloud State University in the 2024 NSIC quarterfinals and now owns 120 wins. A member of the Marauders Hall of Fame after earning All-American honors three times as a scholar-athlete, Cook is in her 14th season after taking over leadership of the program prior to the 2012 season. She is the program record-holder for career coaching wins.
 
CLASS BREAKDOWN

• 3 seniors
• 4 juniors
• 7 sophomores
• 14 freshmen

 
2026 NSIC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

• WESSEL NAMED NSIC DEFENDER OF THE WEEK FOR HER MARAUDERS DEBUT

Ivy Wessel made an immediate impact for the University of Mary, earning Northern Sun Soccer Defender of the Week honors in her first match with the Marauders. A sophomore from Rosemount, MN, Wessel played a prominent role in the Marauders 1-1 draw against visiting Western Oregon University in the season opener. UMary held the Wolves, who qualified for the NCAA tournament last year, to nine shots overall and just three on frame. Wessel, a transfer from Loras College, came off the bench to play 67 minutes. While on the pitch, Wessel and the UMary defense allowed five total shots with only one on goal.
 

• POLANCO, PELTZ EARN NSIC HONORS FOR MARAUDERS WEEKEND SWEEP

A University of Mary home sweep by identical 1-0 scores earned Dina Polanco and
Harlee Peltz Northern Sun Women's Soccer Player of the Week honors. Polanco was
named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the lone goal in each
game. The sophomore midfielder scored in the 15th minute of the Marauders win
over Concordia-St. Paul and on a free kick in the 39th minute of a UMary victory
against Winona State University.
 
Peltz claimed NSIC Defensive Player of the Week recognition after leading a Marauders backline that never conceded a goal in the two wins. The junior defender from Albertville, MN, played all 180 minutes on the weekend and led a back line that held the two opponents to a combined 13 total shots with just two on frame. The Golden Bears managed just 10 shots with two on frame. The Marauders tightened the clamps even further on Winona State as the Warriors were held to three total shots, none of which were on goal.
 

• DILGER NAMED NSIC GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK

Kadyn Dilger was named the Northern Sun Soccer Goalkeeper of the Week after leading UMary to a pair of shutout wins. The junior made ten saves – several of the spectacular variety – over the weekend as the Marauders earned a 1-0 win over the University of Minnesota Duluth and 2-0 over Bemidji State University. She had six saves and faced 10 shots against the Bulldogs. Dilger followed with a 4-save clean sheet against the Beavers.
 

• NSIC NAMES POLONCO OFFENSIVE PLAYER THE WEEK

A pair of game-winning goals and three counters total earned University of Mary forward Dina Polanco Northern Sun Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time. The sophomore opened the weekend with a goal just 2:26 into the Marauders 2-0 victory over visiting Southwest Minnesota State University. The Guatemalan national team player was even more impressive on Sunday as she helped the Marauders rally for a 2-1 win over the University of Sioux Falls with two goals in the final 20 minutes of play. Following a scramble off a corner kick, Polanco buried a feed from Alex Guinn to even the score at 70:00. Less than nine minutes later after Maggie Bono was fouled in the 18-yard box, Polanco found the net on a penalty kick for the winning goal and clinching a spot for UMary in the NSIC tournament.

• WESSEL NAMED NSIC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR 2^nd TIME

University of Mary sophomore Ivy Wessel was named the Northern Sun Defender of the Week after shutout wins at Minnesota Crookston and MSU Moorhead. Wessel contributed on both ends of the pitch, picking up an assist in both games while anchoring a Marauders back line that held opposing offenses to a combined 12 shots with just four on frame. Wessel had an assist and helped limit UMC to three shots total and two on frame in a 3-0 win. In a 6-0 win at MSUM Wessel again had an assist while limiting the Dragons to nine shots with two on target.
 
POLANCO NAMED UMARY OFFENSIVE PLAYER TO WATCH IN 2026
Sophomore midfielder Dina (pronounced DEE nah) Polanco is the Marauders NSIC Offensive Player to Watch in 2026. Named the 2025 Northern Sun Newcomer of the Year, Polanco was selected to the All-NSIC first team as a midfielder. She was also honored as a first team D2CCA All-Central Region selection and was named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Women's All-Central Region third team to cap a tremendous freshman season. She was the first UMary player to earn first team all-region recognition since 2012… Polanco finished her freshman season nine goals and three assists for 21 points. She tied for the team lead in points and finished second in goals. Polanco had two game-winning goals and made both her penalty kicks. Her goal total was the most for a UMary freshman since 2007.
 
NSIC NAMES BRAND DEFENDER TO WATCH FOR UMARY IN 2026
Senior defender Chloe Brand the Marauders NSIC Defensive Player to Watch in 2026. In her first season at UMary, Brand made an immediate impact and was named to the 2025 All-NSIC second team. A valuable weapon on set pieces, the London, England, native scored three goals and had two assists. Two goals came directly off her corner kick service and the third was on a free kick. Additionally both assists came after she triggered a corner kick. Brand also anchored a Marauders defense that posted eight clean sheets and allowed just 20 goals in 19 games, the 6th-fewest in the NSIC. Overall the Marauders outscored the opposition 40-20.
 
UMARY PICKED 6^th IN NSIC PRESEAON COACHES' POLL
The Marauders are projected to finish sixth in 2026 in the NSIC Coaches' poll. Minnesota State topped the NSIC coaches' poll, followed by Concordia-St. Paul, Bemidji State, Augustana, St. Cloud State, UMary, Northern State, Minot State, Winona State, Minnesota Duluth, Wayne State, Sioux Falls, Southwest Minnesota State, Jamestown, Minnesota Crookston and MSU Moorhead.
 
2025 LOOKBACK

• Head Coach Sarah Cook directed the Marauders to an eight straight Northern Sun tournament berth in 2025, the longest streak in program history. UMary has now gone nine straight seasons without a losing record. The Marauders own a winning record in seven of the last nine seasons and finished with a .500 or better record for the last night years.
• The Marauders led the NSIC in scoring last year with 2.1 goals/game
• UMary set a new NCAA Division II program record for goals in a single season with 40 in 19 games. The old mark was 39 in 23 games in 23 games.
• Freshman Dina Polanco was the NSIC Newcomer of the Year and was an All-NSIC 1^st team selection at midfield. She also earned All-Central Region honors by D2CCA (1^st team) and the United Soccer Coaches (3^rd team).
• Senior forward Olivia Gardner earned 2^nd team All-NSIC recognition for a third straight year
• Junior defender Chloe Brand was named to the All-NSIC 2^nd team in her first season at UMary
• Kayden Dilger posted eight clean sheets and earned NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week honors

 
32^nd SEASON OF MARAUDERS SOCCER
2026 is the 32^nd season of University of Mary women's soccer. The Marauders took to the pitch for the first time in 1995.
 
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