THIS WEEK
On the road for the first time this season, the University of Mary women's soccer team competes in the Rimrock Classic in Billings, MT. The Marauders open the Classic against Black Hills State University on Thursday, September 3, in a neutral site match at 5 pm CT/4 pm MT. The weekend wraps up on Saturday, September 5, when UMary plays host MSU Billings at 4 pm CT/3 pm MT. Both will be played at the Yellowjacket Soccer Field.
 
THE RECORDS
The Marauders are 0-0-1 after playing Western Oregon to a 1-1 draw on opening day… BHSU is 1-0-1 after opening the season with a 3-1 home win over Sioux Falls before playing the University of Minnesota Crookston to a scoreless draw… MSUB is 0-0-1 following a scoreless draw with UMC in a neutral site match in Billings.
 
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.
 
RIMROCK HISTORY
The Marauders are making their 7th appearance in the Rimrock Classic. UMary made its first appearance in 2017 and last played in the tournament in 2024. UMary is 9-3 all-time in the tournament, including a record of 2-2 against MSU Billings and a 6-0 mark against BHSU.
 
HISTORY LESSON
UMary vs. Black Hills State: UMary has won all seven meetings between the Yellow Jackets and the Marauders… The Marauders have posted three straight shutout wins over the Yellow Jackets and have allowed one goal in the last five meetings… UMary defeated BHSU 3-0 on Sept. 7, 2024, in the last meeting between the two teams… UMary has outscored BHSU 24-5 over seven games.
UMary vs. MSU Billings: In a series dating back to 2003, the Marauders are 5-11-4 against the Yellowjackets… UMary is 4-2-2 at home… The Marauders downed the visiting Yellowjackets 2-0 in the last meeting between the two programs on September 4, 2025. Kaydy Dilger made two saves and Rachel Gensch and Dina Polanco both had goals.
 
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.
 
CLUTCH
Marauders all-conference midfielder Dina Polanco scored the equalizer in the UMary opener with just 65 seconds left in the game. Polanco gained control off the second from Maggie Bono, moved to her left and launched a left-footed shot from outside the 18 that snuck in under the crossbar. The goal earned the Marauders a 1-1 draw with visiting Western Oregon, an NCAA tournament qualifier last season.
 
BIG STOP
UMary goalkeeper Kadyn Dilger stopped a penalty kick in the Marauders season-opening 1-1 draw with Western Oregon. Early in the second half the junior stood her ground and dove to her right to save the shot and keep the game scoreless.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.

 
108
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 108 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

 
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.
 
VISIT UMARYTICKETS.COM FOR TICKETS
Fans can purchase tickets online for all Marauders sporting events at www.UMaryTickets.com 
 
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