RIPON, Wis. - Marian University women's soccer (1-1-0, 0-0-0 NACC) led for most of the game and used a late push to hold off a Ripon comeback and defeat the Red Hawks 3-1.

Senior Danielle Deltgen (1-0-0) earned her first start in goal and had a big game for the Sabres.  She would make three saves in the first half and followed that up with six saves in the second half to total nine stops.  

The defense for the Sabres had a strong game in aid of Deltgen as they held Ripon to only three shots in the first half and the Red Hawks did not have a corner kick the entire game.

Freshman Olivia Meerdink scored her second goal in as many games to open the scoring in the 15th minute when she ricocheted a shot off of a Ripon defender.  Ripon tied the game at the 75:16 mark but the tie didn't last long as senior Alexis Peterson found the back of the net just 52-seconds later.  The goal was her first of the season and she was assisted by sophomore Hana Berge.

The lead would be padded by sophomore Alicia Balken just 3:47 after the Peterson goal as she went to the top-right corner late in the 80th minute to set the final at 3-1.

Marian recorded 10 shots in the first half and 11 shots in the second half as MU went on to outshoot Ripon 21-13.  Senior Reilly Louko and Meerdink each had five shots to lead the charge with all five of Louko's shots being on goal.

Marian will next host Lawrence in a non-conference game Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. from Smith Field in their home opener.

--FightBlueFight--