INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian women's soccer team displayed a dominating offense attack Wednesday night, locking in their first win of the seaosn in a 9-0 victory over Saint Xavier. The win brings Marian to 1-1 on the young season, while head coach Justin Sullivan records his first win as the head coach of the Marian women's soccer team. 

After being held without a goal in their first three contests of the season, Marian's offense made a strong statement in the opening minutes of the match by striking in the third minute. Allie Schlom ignited the offense with playing the ball in from outside the box, finding Delaney Taylor in the middle of the goal. Taylor passed off a contested shot from five yards out and dished the ball to Madison Deckard, as the young striker netted Marian's first goal of the season to put Marian on top 1-0. 

Marian continued their offensive pressure controlling the possession, firing three shots in a five minute span after the opening goal. Saint Xavier gained their consistent run and launched their first shot of the night in the 13th minute, with a free kick from Neida Ocampo sailing high and left. After a trio of consecutive shots from Saint Xavier, Marian returned with an offensive run, with Erin Oleksak setting the pace. Oleksak gathered the attention of the defense, and turned the ball back for Deckard as she was able to net her second goal of the night. 

After the goal in the 22nd minute the match was brought to a pause for a water stoppage, and after the break Marian wasted little time striking again, with Schlom scoring unassisted just 73 seconds after the restart to give Marian a commanding 3-0 lead. The Cougars and Knights exchanged a shot on goal with Noelle Rolfsen making her first save of the night, as the Marian defense continued to deny any offensive rhythm for the visitors. Marian added two goals to their name before the half ended, with Drew Mason logging her first goal in 10 months off an assist from Jacelyn Smith. Smith would then close the half with the fifth goal of the period, winning a one-on-one matchup to drain her first score of the season. Marian led 16-4 in shot attempts at halftime, leading 5-0. 

In the second half, Marian immediately got their offense back down the field, needing just 14 seconds to add to their lead with Mason finishing a loose ball in front of the net. The Knights' offense continued a constant attack on frame, five shots in the 10 minutes after Mason's second score of the night. Mason continued to stay active on the attacking end, and in the 61st minute found Deckard as the sophomore drilled her third goal of the night. The goal gave Deckard her first collegiate hat trick, with the sophomore increasing her career goals total to five. 

Isabelle Stanfield and Ryli John would each score in the final 20 minutes of the match to finish the game with their 9-0 victory, with Stanfield heading in a corner while John kicked one in from five yards out off a Schlom pass. 

Marian took 36 total shots in the game, taking 20 alone in the second half while limiting Saint Xavier to zero attempts in the final 45 minutes. Deckard scored her three goals on five shot attempts, while Schlom and Smith each led Marian with seven shots each. Mason recorded her first career brace on five shots while adding an assist, and Taylor had two assists in the win. Schlom joined Taylor with a team-high two assists in the win.

The Knights will play their second of three straight matches at home on Tuesday August 31, as they close the first month of the season at St. Vincent Field against Judson at 1 PM. 

MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos and more.