The University of Minnesota Duluth dropped a 2-1 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference decision to the University of Mary on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at James S. Malosky Stadium. The Bulldogs (7-4-1, 4-4-1 NSIC) lost back-to-back matches for the first time all season. With a chance to alter the standings, the Marauders (7-2-2, 5-2-2 NSIC) extended their cushion on UMD to four points. UMD had its five game unbeaten streak (3-0-2) against U-Mary snapped but still holds the all-time series record at 8-4-3.
The Marauders scored twice in the first half to put the Bulldogs in a 2-0 deficit. It has been an unlucky season in the beginning of games. Despite the 87-68 shots advantage in the first half of games, UMD has been outscored 8-3 and it has fallen behind the last four games.
The scoring opened with U-Mary's leading goal scorer Megan Lowery finding the back of the net off a corner kick at 23:18. Fifteen minutes later, a hand ball in the box allowed a penalty kick for the Marauders. Caylin Cathey rifled a low ball into the net for her fifth goal.
The Bulldogs, known for their strong second halves, got to work immediately after the intermission. UMD peppered eight shots and cut the lead in half at the 74:08 mark. With the pressure mounting, a bad Mary clearance popped high in air across the field and landed near an open junior forward
Destiny Schmitz. Schmitz gathered the ball and launched a shot above the goalkeeper from 25 yards out. The Farmington, Minn., native has netted the last four goals for UMD. Her nine points, all coming in the last five matches, set a new season high for her.
Junior forward
Natalie St. Martin, Schmitz and sophomore midfielder
Nan Glinsek all open opportunities to tie the game late. St. Martin had back-to-back chances that went wide. In the last five minutes, the Bulldogs used tic-tac-toe passes to get a look for Schmitz, and then did the same thing on the other side of pitch for Glinsek, who pushed it just wide.
The Bulldogs next match is at home on Oct. 14 against Southwest Minnesota State University as the second game of a three-game home stand. Game time on the Friday is set for 1 p.m.
