FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – After dropping their first two NACC decisions, the Marian women's soccer team hoped that they get into the win column on Saturday, Sept. 28, against Dominican. The Stars who came in winless would show a lot of heart and promise, but it would be the Sabres who would win on Homecoming, 3-2.

Syms got the Sabres on the board in the 11th minute when she was rewarded for a quick pursuit of a ball that was misplayed by the Dominican keeper, Sara Stepanovich, and a defender. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native retrieved possession before Stepanovich was able to secure the ball, side stepped the defenders, and chipped the ball in an empty net to give Marian a 1-0 lead.

Despite falling behind early, Dominican showed their true grit and grind coming back with two unanswered goals to take the 2-1 lead. In the 34th minute, Dominican's Leah Tednes launched a prayer from 35 yards out and it was answered in the form of a wind-aided strike into the upper right corner for the equalizer. On any other day, junior Caitlyn Rosenberger would have been able to snag it, but with the winds gusting in Fond du Lac, Tednes' shot found the back of the net.

The Stars jumped ahead late in the first half when Kelly Petty connected on a successful penalty shot in the 43rd minute after a Sabre foul in the box. The lead wouldn't last long.

Less than four minutes into the second half, Maisie Floyd found an open Laura Maly inside the six-yard box and she snuck it inside the right post to tie the game at 2-2. The goal breathed new life into the Sabres and gave them the confidence to search for a winner.

In the 66th minute, after drawing a foul near the corner flag, junior Leisa Conn connected on a long free kick from the left side that dropped right over the outstretch hands of Stepanovich and into the upper right corner of the goal. The winner would prove to be all Marian would need as they successfully closed out the remaining 24 minutes to seal the victory.

Marian earns their first win in conference play and will host Wisconsin Lutheran on Wednesday night at Smith Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.