INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian women's soccer team struck early Monday night, and finished strong after yielding their first Crossroads League goal of the season, as Taylor Wert headed in what stood as the game-winning goal in the Knights' 3-1 victory over No. 13 Spring Arbor. Marian's victory over the Cougars improves the Knights to 14-0-1 on the season, and 6-0-1 in the Crossroads League, setting up a regular season championship match on Saturday afternoon.

Marian didn't waste long Monday night to get on the scoreboard, striking in the game's second minute of play. The Cougars committed an early turnover, which was intercepted by Marian Corro Celma. The senior worked the ball ahead to Katie Koger, with Koger connecting to Sienna Mullen. Mullen drove the left side of the box, and turned back a ball to Koger, completing the give-and-go as the senior knocked in her 12th goal of the season.

From there, Marian packed in their defense as they played against the wind in the period, sharply denying the Cougars of a goal. Lily Ames had a strong half in preserving the 1-0 lead, logging three saves in the half, including a challenging one in the 29th minute on a shot from Alana Simmons. Another save from Ames in the 41st minute sealed a 1-0 half, as Marian entered the break with a lead despite trailing the shot count 7-2.

In the second half, Marian gained possession with the wind at their backs, helping the Knights early as they were able to get a quick shot attempt from Taylor Wert in the second minute of the period. Spring Arbor would take a brief run with the ball following Wert's attempt, earning a corner in the 51st minute. Still possessing the ball from the corner, the Cougars were able to get a flukey score past the arms of Ames, as Jessie Postma had a shot take a tough short-hop in front of the keeper, with the ball sliding into the goal for the equalizing score.

Level at 1-1, the Knights had to turn their rally caps on to keep themselves in the conversation for a regular season Crossroads League championship. The effort started in the 70th minute of play, with Wert logging a shot on a set corner play. Wert again had a shot in the 77th minute, and in the 78th minute, Katie Koger had a blast from 30 yards out, denied by Cougar keeper Reagan Kohler. 

Marian continued to press, and in the 80th minute, their efforts were rewarded, as the team drew a foul on the outside of the attacking box. Erin Kelly took the free kick on the play, and connected with a cutting Taylor Wert, who headed down the go-ahead goal. Insurance came just moments later for the Knights, as their lead grew to two goals in the 83rd minute. Laney Harshany played from midfield to a sprinting Allie Tredway, with the freshman collecting the pass and slamming in the game-sealing goal.

Tredway's goal gave Marian a 3-1 lead, sealing the victory as the defense prevented any Cougar comeback attempt in the waning moments. 

Both teams would end play with nine shot attempts each, as Marian leveled the offense with a 7-2 advantage on attacks in the final period. Wert took four of the team's nine shots, as her fifth goal of the season stood as Monday's game-winner. Koger finished with three shots and one goal, while Tredway scored on one of her two looks. Harshany, Mullen, and Kelly each recorded an assist in the win. 

Ames moved to 13-0-1 in goal with the win, making three saves on the night. Ames' goal allowed in the second half was Marian's first score yielded during Crossroads League play. 

Marian will play No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. from Ascension St. Vincent Field, in a match that will decide the regular season champion in the Crossroads League. Both teams enter the match tied at 19 points in the league standings.

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