INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian women's soccer team saw their 25-game home unbeaten streak come to an end on Wednedsay night at St. Vincent Field, with Spring Arbor prevailing 1-0 in a battle of two top-10 teams in the NAIA. Marian's loss drops them to an overall record of 8-2-1 this season, while they fall to 0-1-1 in Crossroads League play. 

With a packed crowd, Marian looked primed to strike in the second minute as Allie Schlom answered an early Spring Arbor run with one of her own, but a strong strike 88 seconds in was smothered by Emily Ponstein. Spring Arbor came back with a corner kick and header in the ensuing minute, but the richochet off Becca Mindling's head missed wide. Three minutes later, the Cougars came away with a goal off a free kick from the right side of the 18', as Ariana Stotlzfus wrapped a left-footed strike inside the near post, getting the ball past Noelle Rolfsen to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The score was challenged by Marian five minutes later as Erin Oleksak attacked the Cougars goal on a breakaway, but her goal was wiped away after she was called for a foul in the open field trying to win the ball from a defender. Oleksak's breakaway would be the final look of the half for Marian, as they were asked to defend with the Cougars owning possession. Rolfsen kept the game a 1-0 contest with a save on a penalty kick in the 20th minute, and made an additional save in the half denying the Cougars. Spring Arbor held a 9-2 advantage in shots in the opening half, as they claimed a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Marian changed their shape to start the second half, and were aggressive on offense getting two shots off in the second minute of the period, but neither were able to go for a goal. The Knights continued to fight through a physical Spring Arbor defense, but struggled to get off a shot for a 20 minute window. Rolfsen and the defense kept the difference one score as they forced multiple shots to miss wide, while the keeper denied multiple corner kicks. In the 69th minute Mairan finally broke loose with Oleksak ripping a shot, sparking three straight as Delaney Taylor and Ryli John each launched an attempt, but all three looks missed the frame. 

Marian had their best look in the 72nd minute as Taylor lined up for a corner, with her service connecting with Sydney Genatempo. Genatempo was unable to get her shot through a crowded goal area, and after the blocked attempt the Knights had to reset. Minutes later, Genatempo was booked for the second time making a hard foul trying to slow the Cougars offense, and exited the game putting Marian down one player. Marian would only manage one shot over the final 11 minutes with Oleksak trying to blast one top-shelf, but Ponstein reached for a save to deny the Knights on their final try. 

Unable to get a tying goal, the Knights dropped the contest 1-0, suffering their first loss at St. Vincent Field since September 28, 2019, when they fell 1-0 to Mount Vernon Nazarene. The Knights managed 10 shots as a team to Spring Arbor's 18, with Oleksak leading the team taking three shots. Schlom took two attempts and had one on goal. In net Rolfsen suffered her second loss of the season making four three saves. 

The Knights will take to the road on Saturday, looking to bounce back into the win column when they play Bethel at 2 PM. 

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