GOSHEN – An incredible defensive effort by the Maple Leafs women's soccer team resulted in a 1-0 loss at home to #6 Marian on Saturday night.
 
Marian came into the game with a 12-2-1 record and 5-1-1 in the Crossroads League. They had previously beaten Huntington 10-1 just a weekend before. And while they were able to get plenty of shots away, the Goshen defense held firm throughout the entire match.
 
By halftime, the teams were still knotted up at zero. Marian had taken ten shots but they always felt the pressure from the Maple Leafs defense. Goshen had one shot in the waning seconds of the half.
 
Just a minute and twenty seconds into the second half, Marian scored the lone goal of the game. On a free-kick from the left side, Jacelyn Smith put it in the top of the net. Goalkeeper Victoria Naylor got her fingers on it, but it was just high enough that it fell in. Naylor had three saves during the contest.
 
The first corner kick wasn't until the 63^rd minute of the match, and Goshen was able to stop four corners taken by the Knights. After the early goal allowed in the second half, the Maple Leafs continued to be unrelenting defensively. Credit goes to Karitas Maria Arnardottir, Alexsandra Fernandes, Brynja Rut Hjartdottir, and Anne Nisley.
 
Despite all the shots, Marian only managed four of them on goal. Goshen (5-9, 1-6 CL) had two shots on goal – one by Luisa Souza and one by Madalyne Swallow. They each came into the game as subs. Erin Oleksak for Marian had 18 goals scored this season, but she was stopped from adding on to that total tonight.  The one-goal victory for Marian was the lowest point differential they have had in a game since their 1-0 loss to #4 Spring Arbor on September 29^th.
 
Seniors Noelia Calderón, Paige Renshaw, Gabey Vogeler, Luisa Souza, Thamires lima, and Beatriz Meneghin were recognized before the game for Senior Night. It was the last regular season home game for these players - and we appreciate all they have done for the program. Goshen concludes the regular-season on the road at Spring Arbor on Wednesday, October 27 at 7:00 and at Huntington on Saturday, October 30^th at 1:00.