University of Mary football coach Myron Schulz can't bash his team for its efficiency in the red zone.

The Marauders (2-3 NSIC, 2-4 overall) are a perfect 13-for-13 in the red zone this season, which is tops in the Northern Sun. They have scored 11 touchdowns and kicker Rett Thibodeaux has booted two field goals.

But that doesn't mean Schulz is completely satisfied.

"We just have to get there more,"Schulz said. "We've got to get there more and score more."

Schulz said the perfect red zone efficiency can be attributed to three things a boost in confidence from moving the ball, play calling and execution from the players.

"It's a combination of all three things,"he said.

The Marauders, however, are ranked 12th of 14 teams in the NSIC in scoring offense with 19.5 points per game.

Picking up the pace

U-Mary volleyball coach Heidi Sunderland would like to see her team pick up the pace in blocking.

The Marauders (3-18 overall, 1-8 NSIC) have combined for 22 solo blocks and 156 assist blocks.

They are averaging 1.52 blocks a game. Sunderland would like to see that total improve to 2.5 or 3.0 per game.

"A lot of blocking is quickness, footwork and closing the net," Sunderland said. "We get a lot of touches, but sometimes the timing is off."

Sophomore middle hitter Laci Murtha leads U-Mary in blocking with seven solos and 37 assists for a total of 44. Murtha averages 0.67 blocks per game. Individually, Sunderland would like to see that total better than 1.0 per game.

"We traditionally had a pretty strong blocking team in the NAIA days," Sunderland said. "When you're going against higher caliber teams who swing hard and move the ball around the block, blocking becomes much harder."

U-Mary plays host to Minnesota-Crookston Oct. 14, No. 16 Minnesota-Duluth Oct. 17 and Bemidji State Oct. 18.

Being at home will be a nice break for the Marauders.

"We were talking on the bus on the way back from Iowa," Sunderland said. "Our team has spent 10 percent of their lives (this season) on the bus (116 hours), and that's not counting time away from home."

Tanaka pleasant surprise

U-Mary women's soccer coach Levi Evans has seen something in Amy Tanaka that nobody else has recognized.

Tanaka, a freshman, has always played defense. Evans recruited her with the intent of using her as a defenseman. After going through training camp, Evans moved Tanaka to midfielder. Evans would probably be considered a genius as the Aiea, Hawaii, resident has scored five goals and assisted on one for 11 points on the season. She scored twice this past week against Southwest Minnesota State.

"When we saw her in training, we knew we could utilize her in different parts of the field," Evans said. "Nobody really knows about her, so she has that going for her."

It was Tanaka's technique that prompted Evans to try her in a new role.

Tanaka displayed the ability to receive the ball, dribble, pass and shoot efficiently.

"You can send her any ball, and she's able to make it look pretty,"Evans said. "Technically, she's superior to a lot of players around this region."

The Marauders (4-1-0 NSIC, 5-7-0 overall) play host to Minnesota-Crookston on Saturday and MSU-Moorhead on Sunday. Minnesota-Crookston pulled off a 2-1 double overtime upset over Concordia-St. Paul.

U-Mary topped MSU-Moorhead in the championship game of the NSIC tournament last season.

"We have to be cautious about these two games," Evans said. "Upsets happen. I'm sure Moorhead has some redeeming factors from last year. It's important to take these next home games and keep on track for the conference title."

Coming around on 'D'

The U-Mary men's soccer team came through with one of its best defensive efforts of the season when it matched up with Great Falls on Sunday.

The result was an 0-0 tie the first time the Marauders have shutout an opponent this season.

"It was the first time this season we put in a full 90 minutes,"U-Mary coach David Cook said. "It was a solid effort where they were totally focused."

The Marauders (1-7-1 overall) were assignment sharp on defense and communicated well together.

"They did a good job of knowing where they needed to be,"Cook said. "They were confident enough to be aggressive and confident enough to communicate."

U-Mary plays host to MSU-Billings on Sunday. Then, the Marauders begins a string of away games. They play Great Falls on Oct. 17 and Westminster (at Great Falls) on Oct. 18, and they travel to Jamestown on Oct. 22.

Winding down

U-Mary cross country coach Mike Thorson can feel the season winding down.

The Marauders must make hay on Saturday at the Minnesota-Duluth Invitational. It's U-Mary's last meet before the NSIC championships, scheduled for Oct. 25 at Aberdeen, S.D.

"(Duluth) is a chance to see some good competition going into the conference meet," Thorson said. "We hope to get a little confidence. That's important at this time of the year."

Short shots

n The Dickinson State men's cross country team placed eight runners in the top 10 to run away with the Jamestown College Invite. DSU scored 23 points to claim first place.

Concordia College of Moorhead, Minn., was second with 53.

n Dickinson State's Derion Williams returned a punt 70 yards in the final 53 seconds to help the Blue Hawks claim a 28-21 victory over Valley City State on Saturday. It was Williams' third return for a score this season.

DSU quarterback Brandon Bishop-Parise threw for a school-record 317 yards.

n The Dickinson State volleyball team recorded its first conference win on the road this season when it swept Valley City State on Friday.

Freshman libero Sasha Bruels of Dickinson led the Blue Hawks in digs with 16.

n Jamestown College volleyball coach Chris Mahoney, who is in his 12th season at the helm, recorded his first coaching victory against Dickinson State when his squad won in a sweep on Saturday.