Senior Vicky Renderos' third goal of the season was enough to end a three-year NCMC winless stretch for the Lady Owls. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

While it remains too early to speculate on its long-term prospects, the Marshall girls' soccer team turned another major corner Wednesday.

The Lady Owls made a 1-0 lead hold up for 72 minutes after scoring early in the contest and knocked off defending NCMC champion Hannibal -- their first conference win in 23 matches stretching back three seasons.

Marshall pulled in front eight minutes into the match when junior Vicky Renderos took a pass from senior Courtney Henley and beat her defender on the right side of the field, sending a 20-yard shot over the hands of junior goalkeeper Whitney Voepel.

The Lady Pirates (2-3, 2-2 NCMC) "started to press and take it to us more," noted MHS head coach Josh Posegate. "Our defense continues to improve and we were able to deny them any great looks on goal."

Still, senior 'keeper Xochitl Ruiz had to come up with 11 saves, eight of shots taken by junior Chelsea Reutenauer, to record her third shutout of the season.

"We made enough offensive runs in the second half to keep out defense fresh," Posegate said. "In most cases, we had good defensive positioning and Xochitl -- who continues to be solid -- was able to take away any good shooting angles."

Senior Paige Fifer and freshman Shelby McCoy were able to launch attacks on the Hannibal net during the second half, but were unable to add to the Lady Owls' lead.

Marshall has now won four matches in a row, the first time it has accomplished that fear since 2004. The Lady Owls are set to play today at Kirksville.