Notre Dame, Ind. - The Marian women's soccer team opened their 2025 campaign on a high note Thursday evening, as the Knights defeated the Holy Cross College Saints 3-0 in their season opener. The victory granted the Knights a 1-0 start to their season for the fourth consecutive campaign.

It took 15 minutes for the Marian offense to find a rhythm on the field as the game was held without a shot until Katie Koger ripped the first look on goal. The shots continued to roll for the Knights after Koger's look, with Cecelia Kostick and Erin Kelly each ripping a look toward the net. Over the final 20 minutes of the first half, Marian would attempt four more shots on goal; however, each attempt would be smothered by the Saints' keeper. Sophia Lewis took a slew of attempts in that stretch, recording her first two looks on goal as a collegiate athlete.

The Knights remained aggressive in the second half as they desperately aimed to break the deadlock on the scoreboard. Kylie Conrad took the first shot of the half for her team in the 53rd minute, but her shot on target was saved. The shot kept Marian on the attack, as they pressured the Saints defensive line. In the 56th minute, the persistence paid off when Conrad scored off a feed from Olivia Parmer, notching the first goal of not only the match, but the season.

The goal would be more than enough for Marian to secure the win thanks to their stout defense. Marian's back line did not allow a shot attempt in the match and made life difficult for the home team as the Knights controlled possession for the majority of the match. The offense would add two more insurance goals as the half wore on, with Lauren Maresh and Allie Treadway each recording a goal. Maresh's goal came in the 61st minute on a pass from Sienna Mullen, while Tredway's first collegiate goal came in the 67th minute.

Marian would go on to take total control of shot attempts in the match, winning the battle 19-0. Conrad, Lewis, and Tredway each took three shots in the victory to lead the team, with each of Conrad's attempts going on goal. The senior Kylie Conrad scored the first goal of the season for the Knights, while Olivia Palmer collected two assists in the win. Sienna Mullen added an assist, finding Maresh, who scored on her only shot attempt of the evening. Tredway's lone attempt on goal stuck for her first collegiate goal. Lily Ames recorded the victory in goal, logging a full 90 minutes in the net. 

Marian continues their first week of the season on Saturday, August 23, as they travel to Davenport, Iowa, to take on Saint Ambrose University. Marian is 3-0 all-time against Saint Ambrose, and looks to extend the streak when play begins at 5 PM Eastern on Saturday.

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