MARION — The Marion Wildcats used a tremendous defensive effort to shut out Althoff 1-0, beating the Crusaders for the first time in program history.

The win came in Althoff’s final conference visit to Wildcat Stadium as the school is leaving the South Seven to join the Gateway Metro Conference next school year.

Malia Roye scored in the first half for Marion. Junior goalie Sofia Wallace and the Wildcats’ defense made it stand. Althoff spent much of the second half on the Wildcats’ side of the field, but could not find a way into the scoring column.

With the win, Marion improves to 8-2 on the season. The Wildcats and Crusaders are now both 2-1 in conference play, a game behind Carbondale in the standings.