INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian women's soccer team opened the Crossroads League Tournament with a 4-0 victory over Goshen in the quarterfinal round. Marian received a hat trick from Naomi Walters in the first half and a second half PK from Isabelle Stanfield to improve the Knights to 16-0-2 overall and 9-0-1 in league play as they head into the semifinal on Wednesday night.
Marian began the match with an early offensive assault, with Walters having the first shot attempt before scoring the first goal of the match in the 15th minute on the assist from Jacelyn Smith. Smith would take the next shot attempt for Marian, seeing it go just wide left, but at the 22:13 mark it was Walters again finding the back of the net on the assist from Maya Decker.
With the 2-0 lead at hand, Marian continued to press as it was Erin Oleksak finding Walters who booted it past the Goshen goalie to complete her hat trick. The Knights did not let up as they put together seven more shot attempts in the half, with the goalie having to make the save on four of the shots.
The Knights came out aggressive in the second half picking up two shots and three corners in the half's first 22 minutes, continuing to own the possession. After seeing several shot attempts, the Knights found their fourth goal of the night on a PK coming from Stanfield to extend the lead to 4-0. Lindsey Stoughton and Delaney Taylor made late attempts to try and build onto the Marian lead, but were unable to find back netting as the Maple Leafs keeper managed to get her hands on the attempts.
Not only was the Marian offense hot, but the defense effort put together was impressive by only allowing Goshen three shots to Marian's 20. Noelle Rolfsen played the full 90 minutes in goal, making one save to help her team pick up the 4-0 win.
Walters led Marian with three goals on five shots, while Stanfield added the other goal and had two shot attempts. Oleksak, Decker, and Smith all picked up an assist, while Oleksak and Decker had two shots.
Marian will play either Taylor in the Crossroads League Semifinals on Wednesday. Kickoff from St. Vincent Field comes at 7 PM.
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