Box Score

AURORA, Ill. (SabreAthletics.com) – Making its first-ever Northern Athletics Conference tournament championship appearance, the Marian University women's soccer team fell to the host Aurora University Spartans, 3-0, at Vago Field today, Nov. 5.

The Sabres had been riding a streak of four straight shutouts of opponents, including a 1-0 overtime victory over Edgewood in their NAC tournament semifinal match that got them to the title game. However, that streak came to an end as the host Spartans tallied three goals en route to earning the NAC's automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III tournament.

Aurora improved to 18-4 overall, while Marian finished its season at 13-7, tied for the most wins in a single season in school history.

The Sabres recorded the first shot of the game, challenging Aurora goalkeeper Liz Wong early on, but that would only be one of two shots she needed to stop on the day. Leisa Conn and Brittany Syms were credited with the attempts. Meanwhile, the Spartans tallied 14 shots, nine of which landed on goal.

Raquel Rodriguez got Aurora on the board first with her team-leading 12th goal of the season in the 28th minute. Jenee Lange then added her fifth goal shortly before halftime to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead at the break.

The advantage would grow to 3-0 when Nicole Wolfe scored her 10th goal of the season in the 72nd minute, a lead that would prove insurmountable for the Sabres.

Freshman goalkeeper Caitlyn Rosenberger ended her breakout season with five saves despite taking the loss.

The Spartans will now await to hear who their opponent will be in the first round of the national tournament.