INDIANAPOLIS - One goal was all the Marian women's soccer team needed to reach their 16th win of the season, as Erin Oleksak notched the game-winning goal in the 74th minute to give the Knights a 1-0 victory over Northwestern Ohio in the NAIA Opening Round. Marian's win advances them into the Opening Round Final, as the team now has a 16-4-1 overall record. 

Clean offensive looks were tough to come across through the night's opening 20 minutes, as the two sides combined for seven shots with only one look coming on goal. Marian dominated the possession in the first 10 minutes, taking three shots with Drew Mason's first look of the day coming on goal. The Knights continued to hold possession in the Racer end of the field with Maya Decker finding a shot attempt, but UNOH would counter in the 20th minute with a strong run as Agnes Stefansdottir played a shot near frame.

The Racers would get another shot in addition to a corner after Stefansdottir's boot, but failed to come away with a clean look. Marian retailiated in the 28th minute looking to score the first goal with Erin Oleksak and Allie Schlom on the attack. Schlom's boot was on target, but the kick ended in the arms of Martina Galloni of UNOH. Marian defended one final run in the final five minutes, with Noelle Rolfsen making a save in the 42nd minute to deny Lillian Ankerman on a fast break run. The game entered half scoreless, with the Knights leading in shot attempts 9-5.

The Knights attacked twice in the first seven minutes of the second half with Jacelyn Smith and Oleksak both putting in shots on goal, but the strikers were denied each time. The offense continued to pressure the goal with the team rattling off two corners and two shots in a four minute run, and nearly came away with a goal in the 66th minute as Oleksak blasted one through a cluttered box, but Galloni was able to smother the shot.

In the 74th minute, the Knights finally broke through, as Schlom penetrated the defense from the right side of the pitch. Schlom crossed a pass into the box trying to connect with Ryli John on the back post, but a defender was able to head the ball off it's line. The deflection landed in front of Oleksak, and the junior quickly struck the ball, slicing the shot into the back of the net for the game-winning goal. Marian looked to add to their 1-0 lead several times in the final 15 minutes, controlling possession as they drained the clock to close the victory. 

Marian held an 18-6 lead on shots for the match, with the defense allowing just one look in the second half. Oleksak took nine of the team's shots, scoring the game's only goal. Oleksak's goal was her 22nd of the season, giving the junior a new career single-season high. Smith and Delaney Taylor each took two shots, and in net Rolfsen recorded the shutout making one save in the win. 

Marian's win advances them to Saturday night's final match, where Marian will meet Lindsey Wilson College at 7 p.m. The meeting will be the first in program history between both schools. 

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