SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Despite a strong second-half comeback, Sioux Falls came up just short in a 3-2 loss to the University of Mary Friday night at Bob Young Field. The Cougars fought back from a two-goal halftime deficit, but a late Marauder strike proved to be the difference.
THE BASICS
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Score: U-Mary 3, Sioux Falls 2
Records: USF (6-7-1, 4-6-1 NSIC), U-Mary (6-5-3, 4-4-3 NSIC)
USF Goals: Elizabeth Schmidt (71'), Addison Van Zee (81')
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Marauders jumped ahead early, capitalizing on a corner kick that deflected inside the goal in the 14th minute to take a 1-0 lead. They doubled their advantage before halftime when Maicee Burke scored in the 39th minute off an assist from Allison Lepp.
After regrouping at halftime, Sioux Falls found its rhythm and began to tilt the field in its favor. In the 71st minute, Elizabeth Schmidt opened her scoring account with a long-range strike to make it 2-1. Ten minutes later, Addison Van Zee continued her standout season by slotting home the equalizer, assisted by Chloe Wilson, to tie the match at 2-2.
The Cougars nearly completed the comeback, but the Marauders found the game-winner in the 85th minute when Olivia Gardner finished off a cross to reclaim the lead for U-Mary.
Head coach Joe DeMay praised the team's fight but noted the lessons to be taken from a match like this one:
"Heartbreaker. That one stings a little extra because the team fought so hard to claw back the two goal deficit and level the match with 10 minutes to go.
We can certainly take away from that the knowledge that we have it in us to come from behind when we need to. Not allowing ourselves to be in that position is something we have to improve as well as managing moments better when the match is in the balance like it was at the end. Sometimes growth hurts and that's certainly the case tonight."
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
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Shots: U-Mary 13, USF 10
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Shots on Goal: U-Mary 9, USF 5
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Saves: USF 6 (Jost), U-Mary 3 (Dilger)
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Corners: U-Mary 10, USF 0
KEY COUGARS
UP NEXT
The Cougars return to Bob Young Field on Sunday, October 26th for Junior Cougar Club Day and Trick-or-Treat, hosting the Minot State Beavers at 1:00 p.m.
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