The #17 Aquinas women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker to #5 Marian in the second round of the NAIA National Tournament on Saturday night (Apr. 17) in Indianapolis. For the second time this year, AQ fell to the Knights by identical 1-0 scores, as Marian netted the game's only goal in the 49th minute to prevail on its home field.

It was the second meeting between the teams this season, as the Knights defeated AQ 1-0 on Mar. 2, also in Indianapolis. That was the third game of the year for Aquinas and the 16th game of the season for Marian. The Saints earned the rematch after a thrilling 2-1 double overtime win over Cardinal Stritch on Thursday night (Apr. 15).

With Saturday's result, AQ's season ends with a 14-3 record, while Marian improves to 20-2 and advances in the national tournament. The Saints' 14 wins are the fifth-most in program history; three of those top-five are from the 2018, 2019, and current 2020 season.

Despite the loss, Saturday's game was evenly played and it showed on the stat sheet. Both teams recorded 13 shots and were whistled for 15 fouls. Aquinas held a 6-3 edge in shots on goal, while Marian led in corners, 4-3. Naturally, the Knights made more saves, with a 6-2 advantage in that category.

The opening half featured four total yellow cards, 19 total fouls, and five shots for each team. It was scoreless at halftime, but Marian scored early in the second half.

After a corner kick from Ariana Garcia at the 46:09 mark, Marian scored just two minutes later on a ball that was slightly misplayed by the AQ defense and snuck into the box. Chloe Ulmer put it past Aquinas goalie Braeleigh McCoy for the 1-0 lead. There was a discussion with the referees that Ulmer was offsides on the goal, but it was upheld and Marian had the one-goal advantage.

Aquinas had a few good scoring opportunities in the final 40 minutes and earned three corner kicks during the half, but nothing materialized for the visiting Saints. All three AQ losses this season came by one goal apiece.

Garcia attempted six shots, with a pair coming on goal, while Sydney Shenk tallied three shots and two were on net. Olympia Katsouridis also recorded a pair of shots. McCoy made two saves for the Saints in the loss.

Technically the 2020 WHAC regular season champions, Aquinas will look to repeat as league champs in the fall and contend for a fourth consecutive appearance to the national tournament.