RIPON, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – Behind goals from Kelly Kulinski and Kayla Bernardi, the Marian University women's soccer team handed nearby rival and host Ripon College a 2-1 loss in its home opener at Prairie Field, this afternoon, Sept. 2. The win also marked Marian Head Coach Jillian Sauer's first with the program.

With the win, Marian improved to 1-2 overall and 12-5-1 against Ripon all-time. The Sabres have won six straight against the Red Hawks and are unbeaten over the last seven meetings dating back to 2005.

Kulinski got the Sabres to a first-half lead in the 36' when she put home a lofted pass from Brittany Syms. It was her second career goal and first since contributing to a 10-0 over Maranatha back on Oct. 23, 2012.

Senior goalie Caitlyn Rosenberger kept the Sabres in front, making several key saves down the stretch to preserve the 1-0 halftime lead.

Just seven minutes into the second half, Bernardi added some much-needed insurance when she picked up her third career goal in the 52'. Syms got into the action once more, sending a pass over the top of two defenders, leading Bernardi perfectly. The junior then did the rest by beating two more defenders on her own and blasting one the left of the keeper.

With 11 minutes remaining, the Red Hawks finally got on the board when Brandi Peltier scored her third of the season on a feed from Paige Birschbach and the pressure was on the Sabre defense to protect the one goal lead.

Thanks to another key Rosenberger save in the final five minutes, the Sabres picked up victory number one of the 2014 season. Rosenberger finished with 10 saves on the day, marking her third straight effort of 10 or more saves to open the season.

Mikaila Johnson broke onto the scene against Ripon in the season opener a year ago with a goal that led to a win and narrowly missed a chance to do the same today. The now sophomore registered five shots, including three on goal in Marian's win.

Sauer's squad will enjoy some well-deserved rest heading into their next match against UW-Oshkosh, which will take place Wednesday, Sept. 10. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at Titan Stadium in Oshkosh.