The Winona State soccer team’s four-game winning streak came to an end this weekend as they lost both away matches, one on Friday, Oct. 19 against University of Mary, and the second being on Sunday, Oct. 21 against Minot State University.

Winona put together a late comeback bid against the University of Mary, but it wasn’t enough as the Marauders escaped with a 2-1 win on their home field.

UMary took a page out of the Warrior’s book, as the Marauders came out of the gate with early momentum, firing three shots in the first 12 minutes of the match to set the tone offensively. Just before halftime, the Marauders executed a successful corner kick as Caitlin Dooley connected on a header, beating the Warrior goalkeeper.

Winona upped the offensive pressure in the second half by uncorking 14 shots after being limited to just one in the first half of play. Sophomore Melissa Greco had an opportunity to tie the game early in the frame, but her penalty kick went just wide of the net.

UMary added its second goal shortly after the missed penalty kick, which proved to be the eventual game-winner. The Warriors defense held the home team to just two shots in the second half, but the Marauders made the most of it.

Facing a two-goal deficit, the Warriors continued their attack for the duration of the contest, rattling off five shots in a four-minute span, but continued to be denied by the Marauders.

Late in the match, sophomore Georgette Topalis connected on a header off a corner kick assist from junior Bridget Doran to slash the UMary lead to one with just over seven minutes remaining in regulation. With seconds to go, senior Abby Bohanski almost forced overtime, but was turned away by another save from the Marauder keeper.

Winona State’s first-year goalie Yanel Ortiz suffered her first loss allowing the first two goals of her career while making her fourth start after posting shutouts in the first three.

Sunday did not fair much better for the Warriors, as they were shut out 0-2 against Minot State.

Before the weekend started, they were settled in the fourth place spot in the NSIC conference, but after the weekends losses they rest in a tie for eighth place with a record of 6-6-1. They need to hold that eighth place spot with two games left to make it to the playoffs of the NSIC tournament.

“I’m hopeful for these girls,” head coach Matt Kellogg said. “I’ve seen how these girls can play and sure they had a rough weekend, but they’ll be able to turn it around. We have two more conference games to prove ourselves and I know that we can do so.”

The Warriors will play two more games to finish off conference play, the first being Friday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. against Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota, and their final game will be played at home at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. against University of Sioux Falls.