INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian women's soccer team opened up their 2022 campaign with a solid showing Saturday night at St. Vincent Field, downing St. Ambrose 4-2 in their season opening victory. Paced by Allie Schlom's brace, the Knights pick up a win in the opener for the first time in the Justin Sullivan era.
The Knights offense looked strong in the opening five minutes of their season, getting a quick look from Naomi Walters in the fourth minute, but her first shot attempt clanged off the right post. Marian continued the attack and nearly came away with a goal from Isabelle Stanfield as she attempted to head in a corner, but the Bees' Rachel Willette caught the attempt. Pressing still as the clock showed 13 minutes expired, the fifth shot attempt of the game broke through as Camryn Gietl netted the opening goal of the season, scoring off a Maya Decker pass on a free kick.
Just 59 seconds after the goal, the offense found their way into enemy territory. After collecting a turnover, Allie Schlom put a shot on frame from the top of the right box, sliding it under the cross bar and into the goal for her first score of the season, making it a 2-0 lead. St. Ambrose would respond with a goal in the 20th minute as they caught Noelle Rolfsen off her line, capitalizing on their only shot attempt of the half to cut the lead to a single goal. The Knights would manage six additional shot attempts before the half's end, but were unable to convert closing the first 45 with a 2-1 lead.
In the second half, Marian's infamous quick-strike attack took center stage, as Jacelyn Smith linked up with Schlom, assisting on her fellow senior's second goal of the evening to give the Knights a 3-1 lead. Looking for more, Schlom had a strong shot on frame in the 60th minute, but her look slammed off the crossbar. The senior stayed in the attack, and in the 64th minute dished her first assist of the season to Erin Oleksak, who converted her first goal of the season to make it a 4-1 lead.
Marian's commanding lead stood until the final four minutes of the match, as St. Ambrose was able to slip a shot in off a corner kick, doubling their score to the final mark of 4-2. In the win, Oleksak led the Knights with six shots netting her first goal of the year, while Schlom secured a brace and an assist, claiming the game-winning goal. Decker and Smith each had an assist, with Smith taking two shots in the win. Marian finished with 19 shots in total to four allowed, as Noelle Rolfsen earned her first win of the season in goal.
Marian will return home for their second match of the season, hosting the tenth-ranked University of the Cumberlands Patriots on Tuesday, August 23 at 1:30 p.m.
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