Sept. 21, 2012 - The Marian Sabres scored once in each half and defeated the Concordia Cougars 2-0 in Northern Athletics Conference play at a rain-splashed Concordia Stadium.

Both teams had scoring opportunities off corner kicks in the first 10 minutes. Concordia's chance came as Ashley Graner (Waukesha, WI/Waukesha West) lofted a cross toward the far post where Ashley Kugath (Belvidere, IL/H.S.) got her head on the ball. However, the ball sailed wide right.

On the other end, Callie Hasselbring (Houston, TX/Cypress Ridge) watched Laura Maly's header go wide and then saved a follow-up attempt by Maly moments later. But Hasselbring was unable to prevent Marian's next chance in the 14th minute. Maisie Floyd worked a give-and-go with Leisa Conn and shot from about 10 yards out from the right side. The Cougars' clearance attempt was in vain as the ball settled into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Marian picked up the attack, looking for a quick second goal, but Hasselbring held firm in making a couple of key saves. For Concordia, Stephanie Rivas (Elmhurst, NY/School of Arts & Business) had an opportunity late in the half, but her shot was wide right. The half ended with Marian clinging to their one-goal lead.

The Sabres came out for the second half and stepped up the pressure even more. The first 10 shots of the half belonged to the visitors, and the tenth shot gave Marian its desired second goal. The goal came off of Maly's foot as she picked up a loose ball in the middle of the field, worked around a defender and hit a 30-yarder that eluded Hasselbring and hit the upper half of the net.

Concordia's best chances in the second half came on long shots from Hillary Campbell (Dyer, IN/Lake Central) and Graner. The latter came on a free kick that nearly slipped through Caitlyn Rosenberger as it skipped on the wet turf, but the Sabres' keeper stayed with the shot and was able to smother it.

Marian finished with a 20-8 edge in shots. Rosenberger made two saves in earning the shutout while Hasselbring made 10 saves.

The Cougars (2-4, 0-4 NAC) will travel to Milwaukee on Tuesday to play Alverno College.