O'FALLON, Mo. – The No. 3 Marian women's soccer team fell to 11th-ranked Central Methodist 2-1 in a neutral site game. The Knights have their seven-game win streak snapped, suffering their first loss since Oct. 31.
The game started off in the Eagles' favor. Just 3:37 into the match, the Knights committed a foul in the box leading to a Central Methodist penalty kick goal.
The Knights tried to respond by keeping the ball in the offensive half of the field and forcing three corner kicks within 10 minutes of one another. Despite the corner kick chances, the Eagles limited Marian to just one shot in the three stands.
The Eagles responded with a stand of their own on the other end. This time, Central Methodist struck a ball in transition and scored another goal off an assist putting Marian in a 2-0 deficit with 19:01 remaining in the opening half.
Marian had one more opportunity from a Siera Stuart corner kick, but the Eagles defense once again stamped out any scoring chance. Jacelyn Smith put a shot on goal forcing the Eagles' keeper to make the save with 1:07 remaining in the half.
No other chances were available in the half and Marian went into the break trailing 2-0.
Coming back out for the second half, Central Methodist's defense remained stern, limiting offensive opportunities. Stuart fired off a couple of more corner kicks in the opening 20 minutes but were once again snuffed out.
The Knights then tried to turn the tide on the Eagles, slowly gaining momentum. With 25:50 remaining, Sydney Genatempo struck a shot off the crossbar, nearly finding its way to the net. Just 21 seconds later, the Knights' persistence paid off. Allie Schlom put her shot on target and put the Knights on the board, trailing 2-1 with 25:29 to go in the match.
Despite the momentum swing, Marian could not get through for more opportunities. Erin Oleksak fired off a strike toward the Eagles' net, but the keeper made the athletic save and preserved their one-goal lead.
There would not be one more shot attempt from either side for the remaining 15:35 of the game, clinching the 2-1 victory for Central Methodist.
The loss snaps a seven-game win streak dating back to the fall slate. In the defensive battle, Marian put together six shots putting three on-net and scoring one goal. Central Methodist finished with six shots putting two on-goal.
Genatempo, Smith, Oleksak, Schlom, and Mackenzie Hall each found themselves in the shot column with Oleksak leading the team with two attempts.
This marks an end for the Marian regular season as the Knights now look ahead to NAIA National Tournament which kicks off April 15. The Knights also have an exhibition against DePauw on April 3 at St. Vincent Field.
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