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NWC Soccer remains scoreless in Monday’s match
The University of Mary Marauders made sure their long trip from Bismarck, North Dakota, was worth it as they took both the women’s and men’s soccer matches Monday afternoon at Northwest College.
Mary, a Division II four-year school that plays in the Northern Star Intercollegiate Conference, wasted little time in establishing control after the noon start against the Lady Trappers, scoring five first-half goals for a large lead at intermission.
Northwest had a difficult time getting much going offensively, with few charges into the Marauder zone and fewer good shots on goal.
But the defense did step up in the second half, with goalkeeper Katie Hoff making a number of saves, limiting the Mary squad to two goals to provide for the final 7-0 margin.
The men’s match was much more closely contested, despite the 3-0 final score, as the Trappers gave themselves plenty of chances but just couldn’t capitalize.
Early on, the Marauders drew first blood when they slipped the ball past the defense and caught the Trapper keeper off his line.
A second score came on a good through ball that got the Mary forward in a one-on-one that he converted into a goal.
Then, after what appeared to be a clean tackle by Ryan Tyrer, the Marauders were given a free kick that found the back of the net for a 3-0 lead.
The Trappers had their share of chances, getting multiple shots on a goal, any of which could have sparked a comeback.
But caroms off the side posts, misses just over the crossbar and some point-blank chances in a crowd within the box kept finding the Mary keepers’ mitts.
“We created plenty of chances for ourselves, but just couldn’t finish them off,” sophomore midfielder and Dublin, Ireland, native Brandon McArdle said. “We played OK as a team, we just need to move the ball a bit quicker and take less touches.”
The teams will continue to work and get a chance to turn their fortunes for the better with a pair of home matches Friday against Western Wyoming.
The Lady Trappers kick off at 1 p.m. with the men to follow at 3 p.m.