Box Score MADISON, Wis. – Two goals early in the second half, appeared to have set the Edgewood College women's soccer team up for a relaxing finish, but Marian University forced the action in the final 10 minutes. The Eagles eventually denied the Sabres, escaping with a 2-1 win to extend their unbeaten streak to six straight games.
The first half didn't feature many great scoring opportunities, but it left no indicator as to how the second half would go. The fireworks started almost immediately from the second half whistle. Shortly after the kickoff, Edgewood College's Jennifer Dailey found Emily Berns slicing through the Sabres defense. Berns beat the last defender near the edge of the penalty and raced in on goal, forcing the Marian University (1-6, 0-2 NACC) defender to take her down with a foul. Just 37 seconds into the second half, Jenna Mineau converted the penalty kick to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Edgewood College (5-2-1, 2-0 NACC) seemed to have found a hole in the Sabres defense, because in the 54th minute, it was Katie Pampuch who took advantage with a similar run. Dailey sent a long ball out in front of Pampuch, who tucked a shot across the front of Sabres goalkeeper Caitlyn Rosenberger for her first goal of the season.
Things really got interesting in the final 10 minutes. Marian University cut the Eagles' lead in half on a long distance blast from Laura Maly, which cleared the head of Eagle goalkeeper Tori Fortney and tucked under the crossbar. After Berns hit the crossbar on the other end, a Marian shot from Leisa Conn grazed the crossbar, and was caught by Fortney in the 87th minute.
The Sabres continued to press and provided one more heart attack moment for Eagle fans. In the 88th minute. Maly's long range shot, got past Fortney, struck the right post and rolled all the way back across the vacant goal mouth, just missing the left post before the Eagles could clear it.
With their late flurry, the Sabres actually ended up outshooting Edgewood College 12-9 for the game. Fortney made five saves to earn her fifth victory of the season in goal.
Edgewood College will look to extend their unbeaten streak to a lucky seven games on Saturday. The Eagles will face Benedictine University on the road at 3:30 p.m.
