Short-Handed Knights Topple No. 19 Cumberland 2-1

Lebanon, Tenn. - Playing man-down for over 50 minutes on Sunday afternoon, the Marian women's soccer team held strong against No. 19 Cumberland, earning a 2-1 road victory for their first top-25 win. Marian's win over Cumberland improves the team's record to 5-0-0 overall.

The Knights played from behind for the first time in the young season, as the Phoenix snuck behind the defense and scored on their second shot of the game, with a fourth-minute attack from Victoria Collins scoring to put Marian behind 1-0. Cumberland remained in control of the pace through the first 15 minutes of play, with Marian going without a shot attempt until Katie Koger's 19th-minute rip. 

The shot got the Knights' offense in rhythm, and in the 29th minute, the team was rewarded with a score as Taylor Wert connected with Sienna Mullen for the equalizer. Not aiming to settle with the tie, Sammie King took a pass from Marian Corro Celma in the 31st minute and sent it toward the goal. King's blast from beyond 30 yards carried to the back of the net, driving the Knights on top 2-1.

The score would stick for the remainder of the game, but the Knights had to work twice as hard to prevent the Phoenix from adding to their lead, as they played man-down for the final 50 minutes. Kaitlyn Lavezzi received two yellow cards in a 62-second window for differing violations, with the second being elevated to a red card. 

The Knights were able to weather the final moments of the first half unharmed and used their offense to play keep-away from Cumberland in the second, with two Katie Koger shots in the first five minutes of play keeping the ball out of the defensive end. Cumberland would eventually counter with a pair of shots on goal, but in each instance, Lily Ames stepped up to make a save. Possession would alternate control on both sides of the field in the final 35 minutes, with Marian maintaining their 2-1 lead. Cumberland's final shot came in the 85th minute, but the blast would miss wide of the net. 

Cumberland added two offsides calls in the final five minutes, delaying the inevitable, as Marian escaped its final leg of their Tennessee trip with a 2-1 victory.

Mullen and King both scored goals on their lone shots of the game, while Katie Koger took six of the team's 14 attempts. Lily Ames recovered well in goal after allowing the early goal, making three saves as she earned the win to move to 5-0-0.

Marian returns to play on September 6, as they host No. 24 UNOH at 3:00 p.m. from Ascension St. Vincent Field. 

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