The University of Minnesota Duluth soccer program fell 1-0 today to the University of Mary at Malosky Stadium, despite a changed starting lineup and solid play throughout the match.

A defensive breakdown in the 62nd minute of the game led to the only goal of the game, an unassisted header from the Marauder's Samantha Guzman. Despite sustained pressure from the Bulldogs in the later stages in the second half, they were unable to find the equalizer and drop to 0-5 on the season.

Despite the loss, Head Coach Greg Cane still found positives from today's game: "Beyond the obvious loss, we can only take positives from today. Our game plan worked, we had new players get their first start, some players entering the game without a lot of minutes on the season, still staying on the game plan--the team did exactly what I asked. They knew it was working, everyone knew it was working, the other team knew it was working. In this game, that doesn't always mean you're going to score, and that leaves the door open. We made a critical error that resulted in their goal, and that's the game."

Goalkeeper Sophia Grenz faced 12 total shots from the Marauders in today's game, with eight of those coming in the second half. The Bulldogs were able to hold Mary to only four shots in the first half of today's game, with only two of those on goal. Grenz holds an overall save percentage of .725 so far this season.

Seven different Bulldogs recorded shots in today's loss, with freshman Anna Tobias leading the way with three shots and one shot on goal. Holly Kaboord and Lauren Singstock both had two shots, and Mandy Conkel, Sarah Stange, Kirsten Dagel, and Lauren Hansen each added one. 

Sophia Grenz, Madeline Felton, Kirsten Dagel, and Holly Kaboord all played the entire 90 minutes. This defensive back line has backstopped the Bulldogs the entire season so far, all playing in nearly every minute of every game thus far. 

Anna Tobias played 52 minutes in just her second collegiate start. Freshman midfielder Victoria Thorson made her first collegiate start after making appearances in all four of the Bulldogs' previous games this season; she was subbed out in the 29th minute. Emma Symalla saw action in her second game of the season. Lauren Singstock served as an impact sub in today's game, coming into the game in the 27th minute and playing 63 total minutes, getting two shots and one shot on goal in that time. Lauren Hansen also saw action in her second game of the season and increased her minutes--playing 20 total minutes in today's match after playing four in the team's 5-1 loss at Northern Michigan.

Despite the Bulldogs ending the game with 53% possession, the team controlled the ball in the first half and sustained significant pressure on the Marauders in the second half. UMD ended with 11 total shots and five shots on goal. Emilia McGiffert received the only yellow card of the game, an 83rd minute caution after a hard collision with the Mary keeper.

"At the end with the players I didn't dwell on the obvious," said Cane. "I only dwelled on the fact that in just about every facet of the game we made progress today. Though it's uphill for us right now, I think we have a really good attitude and the players are working really hard and doing what we ask and I think that there's something about the tribulations and the difficulties that will be celebrated with a reward that comes soon."

The Bulldogs head on the road next weekend, taking on Upper Iowa and Winona. See the full season schedule here.