Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — It was the exact ending Saint Mary's University women's soccer coach Dan Blank was hoping his team would write.

After struggling through a season that had turned out to be more of a horror novel than a rags-to-riches success story, Blank could not have scripted a better ending as SMU snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Bethel Saturday afternoon at Ochrymowycz Field.

Bernadette Balla (Barrington, Ill.) put the Cardinals on the board at the 31:39 mark of the first half, rifling home a rebound off a shot by teammate Shannon Cherry (Rosemount, Minn.). Kelli Mooney (Maple Grove, Minn.) then tallied what proved to be the game-winner midway through the second half as she took a feed from Erica Ruther (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) and beat Bethel goalie Jennie Pulford. The goal was the team-leading fifth of the season for Mooney.

Colleen O'Hearn (Champlin, Minn.) — who, along with Katie Lentz (Cottage Grove, Minn.) and injured Crystal Mitchell (Arlington Heights, Minn.) was playing in their final game as a Cardinal — started in goal, stopping all four shots she faced in the opening 45 minutes. Dianna Kyllo (Kasson, Minn.) and Emily Strom (Waterford, Wis.) played the second half, finishing with three and two saves, respectively.

With the victory, the Cardinals closed out the season with a 4-11-2 overall record and a 2-8-1 finish in the MIAC.