FOND DU LAC, Wis.— The Marian women's soccer team exploded for six second-half goals and dispatched Alverno 8-0 Saturday afternoon in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play at Smith Field.

"After a great week of practice it was nice to see everything come together," said MU head coach Jillian Sauer, who led the Sabres to their first conference win of the season. "I didn't like how we started, but we finished strong and hopefully we can use this as momentum as we continue our NACC schedule."

Midway through the first half Becca Kalish got the offense rolling when she found space in the middle of the penalty box and fired it past the AC goalkeeper. 15 minutes later Carley Schmit scored her fifth goal of the season when she hit a high-arching floater from 25 yards out and the Sabres went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

Marian continued its offensive pressure in the second half. Three minutes in Alexis Peterson delivered a perfect cross and Kayla Bernardi found a wide open net and easily pushed it across to make it 3-0.

At the 58-minute mark, Schmit added her second goal of the contest when a shot ricocheted off the crossbar and the true freshman effortlessly put the ball into the wide-open net. Moments later Jaime Anderson added a goal to put the game safely out of reach.

In the waning moments Bernardi scored her second goal of the game and Alyssa Lennon and Reina Dionisio netted goals.

Marian (4-9-0, 1-5-0 NACC) outshot the Inferno 33-0 (1-10-0, 0-6-0), including a 20-0 margin in the season half.

Marian returns to the pitch Monday and play host to Wisconsin-Whitewater. Start time is set for 5 p.m. at Smith Field.