JOLIET, Ill. --- Litzy Mendez and Ixchel Pelayo each scored game-tying goals, but a late score from Marian University's Grace Crawford denied the upset-minded University of St. Francis women's soccer team of at least a tie as the NAIA No. 4-ranked Knights escaped with a 3-2 victory Wednesday night on the turf of Busey Bank Field at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

The two goals scored by the Fighting Saints (0-2-2) tied the season high allowed by Marian, which improved to 5-0-1 with the victory.

The contest looked to be a low-scoring effort after the first 45 minutes with Marian managing the only goal in the 23rd minute and one of just five shots on goal by either club.  USF managed just one of those shots, which came in the final 14 seconds of the half and forced the Knights to have to lean on backup goalkeeper Mycheala Johnson after starter Kristen Morgan went down with an injury on the play.

USF's initial shot of the second half forced the first tie of the contest when Mendez raced nearly 50 yards down the near sideline before depositing the ball into the net at 49:16.

The contest remained deadlocked at one-all over the next 21 minutes with Marian managing the only shots on goal (two) and five of the six total shots.  The last of those resulted in Katie Koger's go-ahead goal at 70:14.

Not to be deterred, the Saints, who entered the contest with no more than one goal in each of their previous three matches, responded with their second game-tying score.  Pelayo provided the second goal from the left side on a nice feed from Zoe Villont at 83:39.

USF, however, had just a brief window to celebrate the goal after Marian's Grace Crawford answered just 23 seconds later with the eventual game-winning tally. 

The guests took the only other shot in the closing six minutes.

For the match, Marian outshot St. Francis 18-10.  The Knights totaled eight shots on goal, while the Saints connected on two of their three shots on goal.

Krystal Rodriguez recorded five saves in goal for USF.

Notes: The goals by Mendez and Pelayo were their first of the season … Villont's assist was her first as a Saint … The contest was the fourth-ever meeting between the two schools with USF having scored just one goal in the three previous dates.  One year ago, the Saints dropped a 4-0 contest to the then-No. 5-ranked Knights … USF is at University of Northwestern Ohio on Saturday for a noon kickoff.  

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