BISMARCK, ND – University of Mary women's soccer sophomore
Dina Polanco scored a goal to remember in the Marauders' season-opener against Western Oregon, helping secure a 1-1 draw in the waning moments.
After a scoreless first half, Western Oregon had a chance to take the lead 3 minutes into the second half as a penalty kick was awarded to the Wolves. Junior goalkeeper
Kadyn Dilger stood her ground and dove to her right to save the shot and keep the game scoreless.
In the 75
th minute, Western Oregon launched a counter-attack off a UMary free kick, finding Kyra DiBenedetto on the right wing to put the Wolves up 1-0.
Sophomore
Maggie Bono, who had subbed in just five minutes earlier, kept a possession alive in the offensive zone with a pair of headers in the 88
th minute. Polanco gained control off the second header, moved to her left and launched a left-footed shot from outside the 18 that snuck in under the crossbar, tying the game at 1-1 with just over a minute to spare.
Dilger finished the game with a pair of saves to start her season. The Marauders put 8 shots on target on the other end. The Marauders won the corner kick battle, with 6 compared to 5 from the Wolves.
Polanco led the charge on offense, firing 8 shots with 5 on target, including the clutch equalizer.
The Marauders will start their first road trip of the season with a pair of games in Billings, MT, next week. Black Hills State will be the opponent on Thursday, Sept. 3, then UMary will play MSU-Billings on Saturday, Sept. 5.
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