APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University women’s soccer team dropped a 3-1 nonconference decision to Marian University in the season opener on Tuesday.
It was the first game for the Vikings in the renovated Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.
Marian (1-0-0) scored just 13 minutes into the match on a penalty kick after Lawrence goalkeeper Patsy Kealey collided with a Marian attacker. Kayla Bernardi converted the penalty kick to put Marian up 1-0.
The Vikings had the better of the play in the first half, but Marian goalkeeper Alysha Kallas made several nice saves in the opening 45 minutes to keep the Sabres on top.
Marian made it 2-0 just four minutes into the second half when Reina Dionisio scored off an assist from Karissa Preston. Bernardi scored on a free kick in the 73rd minute when her shot from just outside the penalty box deflected off a Lawrence defender into the net.
Ryan Berkley scored with 59 seconds left on a 34-yard blast on a free kick to get the Vikings on the board.
Kallas finished with eight saves for Marian, and Kealey stopped 10 shots for Lawrence (0-1-0).