Box Score MILWAUKEE, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) -- Trailing MSOE with just three minutes remaining in regulation, the Marian University women's soccer team scored twice down the stretch to come away with a thrilling, 4-3, victory in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener, at Viets Field, this afternoon, Sept. 20. Laura Maly's game-winner with 1:27 remaining capped an incredible string of five goals scored between both teams combined over a span of just 5:04.
The Sabres improved to 3-4 overall, 1-0 in NACC play with the win, while the Raiders dropped to 4-2-1 (0-1 NACC) with the loss.
In the 87' minute, senior
Brittany Syms centered a pass to junior
Kayla Bernardi who finished from eight yards out. With the game tied, and the momentum in Marian's favor, the senior Maly took a shot from 25 yard out, which junior goalkeeper Margot Giesey was unable to handle and it sent the Sabre bench and those on hand to witness the wacky finish into a frenzy.
The win marked the second straight for Marian after a 4-2 win over Elmhurst on Wednesday and was the first victory over MSOE since 2012. It was also the second straight game the Sabres have tallied four goals after just four goals in the first five games of the season.
MSOE took an early lead in the 18' when sophomore Sara Travia scored her sixth goal of the season for the Raiders, breaking through defenders and snagging a goal past Sabre goalkeeper
Caitlyn Rosenberger.
The Sabres were able to tie the game in the 58' when Syms scored a one-timer off a cross from Maly for the score. Syms, who had a goal and two assists in the game, was at it again in the 83', finding senior
Leisa Conn at the top of the box which she floated past Giesey to take a late 2-1 advantage.
At the time, that seemed like enough for Marian to hold on for the win, but the Raiders had other plans in mind.
Less than two minutes later, sophomore Erika Spanbauer tied the game, finishing a cross deflected in the box from Travia. Travia, who had a monster game for the Raiders, stole the lead two minutes later when she blasted a shot at the top of the box off a pass from freshman Carley Mitus.
Travia's goal left just 1:50 remaining in regulation, though, the Sabres were quick to strike back.
Kayla Bernardi scored her second goal of the season 33 seconds later to tie the game at 3-3 before Maly's goal eventually won it with 88:33 on the clock.
Marian will return to Smith Field for its NACC home opener Wednesday, Sept. 24, playing host to Edgewood College in a match slated to begin at 7 p.m.
