Orange Beach, Ala. – The Marian women's soccer team saw their 2021 season come to a close Thursday night at the NAIA National Championships, falling to Tennessee Southern 4-0 in the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals. Marian's season ends with a 17-5-1 overall record. 

The third-seeded Firehawks began on the attack and did not back down, keeping possession right out of the gates. Tennessee Southern's Yuki Watari put the Firehawks up front after some nifty footwork and a shot that snuck past Noelle Rolfsen. The Firehawks mounted another attack and got a good look in the sixth minute, but Rolfsen made a diving save to keep Marian within a goal. Tennessee Southern came close to adding on their third shot which dribbled past Rolfsen and past the left post for a goal kick. Rolfsen made another save in the 14th minute after Watari broke past the Marian defenders, keeping it a 1-0 game. Marian mounted their first threat a few minutes later as Allie Schlom was able to send in a centering pass, but she could not find a fellow Knight on the other end of the pass.

Tennessee Southern continued to control the contest into halftime, scoring a pair of goals before the break. A pass by Adisa Amang set up Estelle Ekada for a tap-in, putting the Firebirds ahead by two goals in the 29th minute. The Firehawks added on just three minutes later as Keito Ido found the back of the net after a deflection, giving Tennessee Southern a 3-0 lead.  The Knights were able to get two more looks in the Firehawks' 18-yard box before halftime. Marian trailed by three goals after 45 minutes and failed to get a shot off against the stifling Firehawk defense.

Marian came out as the aggressor to begin the second half, taking a few chances down the field in an attempt to break through with a goal. Oleksak took a shot from a distance that sailed well high and wide of the net in the 50th minute, recording Marian's first official shot. The Knights battled and won a pair of corner kicks around the 54th minute. Decker took the first corner, which was headed over the net by a Tennessee Southern defender for another Marian corner, and Delaney Taylor's corner was a rip straight at the goal, but it ended high of the crossbar. The Firehawks countered after the Marian chance, scoring their fourth goal as Ido played the ball ahead for Watari, with Wateri cutting back for her second goal of the match. After 60 minutes, Tennessee Southern lead Marian 4-0.

Marian's best chance at scoring came in the 72nd minute after a Tennessee Southern foul, setting up Jacelyn Smith with a free-kick just outside the middle of the 18-yard box. Smith's shot was on target but goalkeeper Gabby Kennedy made a diving stop to preserve the shutout. Miranda Nosko got a look on goal two minutes later, but Kennedy made another save. Marian's last shot came from Ryli John, which ended wide of the net in the 81st minute. Unable to find a goal, the UT Southern closed the final nine minutes with possession to end the 4-0 game.

Marian totaled four shots in the contest, with two shots on goal. Smith and Nosko managed the two looks on goal for the Knights, with Oleksak and John recording a shot each. Rolfsen made four saves while taking the loss in the net. Tennessee Southern finished with 14 shots and eight shots on goal. The Firehawks took five corner kicks to Marian's two corners.

The Knights finish the season 17-5-1, advancing to the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals for the third consecutive season.

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