INDIANAPOLIS - Backed by a strong attack in the second half, the Marian women's soccer team landed a 2-0 victory over No. 8 Cumberland University, as the Knights improved to 6-1-1 overall on the season. Marian's goals were scored exactly three minutes apart from one another, as the Knights earned their first top-25 win of the season.
Marian started the game on the offensive with a pair of shots in the opening 15 minutes, controlling pace and possession in the early moments of the half. Cumberland would counter and begin to gain control on possession, but were unable to sneak a goal past Lily Ames, as the blitzkrieg of three shots in five minutes were denied by the keeper. Layla Brown would take a shot on goal but ultimately get denied by Hannah Thornell on her 26th minute attempt. The aggressive match saw zero attempts in the final 13 minutes after a Katie Koger look missed high, as the game remained deadlocked at 0-0 at the break.
After halftime, Cumberland switched their approach and attacked Marian's net, flipping the script with a shot in the first minute of the period. Marian would counter with a pair of corner kicks, but after failing to convert on their set pieces, Cumberland responded with a four shot brigade, holding pace of the match into the 60th minute. Marian turned the match on a counter as a header from Naomi Walters hit the back of the net, but was waved off after she made contact with the keeper. The look on target inspired Marian, as the Knights used the momentum to capture the lead in the 66th minute.
Kiley Jones played a corner kick in as the clock ticked to 25 minutes remaining in the match, leading on the head of Naomi Walters. Walters header was on goal, but denied by a Phoenix defender lurking in the goal. The carom of the shot redirected right to Marian Corro Celma, who was able to send the ball back into the net and give Marian a 1-0 lead. The Knights quickly doubled their lead in the 69th minute, as Layla Brown crossed a ball in stride to Katie Koger, who was able to drill an open strike and goal, sealing the lead with the 2-0 score.
Marian controlled the tempo over the final 21 minutes of the match, and played strong defense to hold Cumberland out of the goal, preserving their 2-0 victory.
Cumberland would end the match with a 10-9 lead in shot attempts, but the Knights held a 5-2 advantage in targets on goal. Corro Celma scored the game-winning goal with Walters assisting her score, while Koger scored her second goal of the week, with Brown assisting the second goal. Walters, Brown, and Koger each took two shot attempts. In goal, Lily Ames earned her fourth win of the season, making a pair of saves.
The Knights will finish their non-conference run on Monday at 12:00 p.m., hosting the University of Jamestown at Ascension St. Vincent Field.
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