Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — Generating offense has been a thorn in the side of the Saint Mary's University women's soccer team all season.

Heading into Wednesday's nonconference match against UW-Eau Claire, the Cardinals had managed just 26 shots on goal — and one goal – in seven games.

Make that 28 shots on goal — and one goal — in eight games.

UW-Eau Claire's defense held SMU to just one shot on goal in each half, while the Blugolds' offense pelted Cardinal goalkeeper Dianna Kyllo (Kasson, Minn.) with 16 shots en route to a 6-0 victory.

"Defensively, we hung right with them for the first 30 minutes, but when we don't control the ball, it puts so much pressure on our defense, and eventually they wear down," said SMU coach Dan Blank. "We aren't creating any offensive opportunities, because we aren't maintaining control of the ball. We get it, and we lose it right away again. Our defenders aren't getting any breaks."

SMU defenders went toe-to-toe with the Blugolds for the first 30 minutes, but the Cardinals' bend-but-don't break attitude could only hold up so long before they broke — and at the 40:51 mark, the floodgates finally opened.

Anna Jackson and Julia Powell scored less than a minute apart late in the second half, and the Blugolds (7-1-1 overall) added four more goals in the second half in pushing their unbeaten streak to five straight (4-0-1).

Kyllo finished with 10 saves — all in the first half — for the Cardinals, who were shutout for the third straight time, and seventh time in eight games.

"It's frustrating, because we are doing some good things out there," admitted Blank. "The score may not show it, but defensively we are improving every game. Now if we can just get our offense to do the same."