NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's soccer team capped off a three-match week with a 2-0 home victory over Franklin on Sunday afternoon.

 

The Belles settled into the game and built chance upon chance as play progressed. Caroline Miklavcic smothered a low shot on goal with a save in the seventh minute, and Saint Mary's built from that point onward. Mary Kaczynski, Izzi Linus, and Grace Barresi had a string of passes that built to a shot by Barresi that caught the crossbar and went out for a goal kick in the 14th minute. Three minutes later, a perfectly slotted pass by Kaczynski through the defense found the feet of Margaret Slove. The freshman had a composed touch and struck a shot strong enough to get past the closing in goalkeeper and in for the opening goal of the contest in the 17th minute. Just a few minutes later, Barresi had another look at goal as the junior's free kick from the left side of the field carried just too high and on top of the goal for a goal kick.

 

The Belles used high pressure to win the ball back after that goal kick. A cross from the right side of the field was initially played away by the Grizzlies, but the ball landed at Mary Kaczynski's feet at the top of the box. The junior settled the ball and fired a shot inside the right post for her first goal of the season and a 2-0 advantage. Saint Mary's continued to have looks at goal as Slove put another shot on goal in the 28th minute and Marina C. Vasconcelos had a shot carry high in the 42nd minute, but the score stood at 2-0 at the halftime break.

 

Much of the second half was battled out in the midfield between the two teams. Grace Barresi had a shot in the 54th minute tail just high and left of the goal on a free kick while the Grizzlies saw a shot on goal get saved by Miklavcic in the 57th minute. Crosses by Barresi and Izzi Linus during the opening 20 minutes of the period were well-placed but unmet in the box, and the Belles were whistled for a trio of offside calls in the half. Holly Skrip had a low shot in the box blocked in the 88th minute as Saint Mary's pushed to add to their lead. The defense, meanwhile, ensured that the two-goal difference would stand by keeping the Grizzlies from registering a shot over the final 30-plus minutes of play.

 

The Belles outshot Franklin 11-3 in the match and had six corner kicks while not surrendering a corner kick to the Grizzlies.  

 

Margaret Slove registered the game-winner in the 17th minute with her fifth goal of the season. Mary Kaczynski added her first goal of the season in the 20th minute and collected an assist on Slove's game-winner. Grace Barresi, Grace Brown, Marina C. Vasconcelos, and Holly Skrip each added at least one shot in the match. Caroline Miklavcic had two saves and collected another shutout victory in goal.

 

The Belles (5-3) now shift their attention to MIAA play as Saint Mary's travels to Trine on Tuesday for a 7:15 p.m. conference match against the Thunder.