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Game Summary / GameDay Online

RIPON, Wis. — After scoring just two goals in their last four games, the Saint Mary's University men's soccer team erupted for three goals in Sunday's nonconference game against Ripon.

Unfortunately, three goals — half the offensive output of their first seven games combined — still wasn't enough to give the Cardinals their first win since Sept. 8, as Ripon scored the game's equalizer with less than 13 minutes remaining in regulation en route to a 3-3 tie.

"It's disappointing not to get a win out of a game like this, but I'm very happy with the way we played," said Dembiec, who saw his team's winless streak climb to five with their first OT tie since a season-opening, 1-1 tie vs. Simpson on Sept. 1, 2005. "We needed an offensive performance like this — if nothing else, it certainly boosts their confidence a bit."

Joey Manley (Racine, Wis.), who scored SMU's lone goal in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Hamline, continued to boast the Midas touch on Sunday, as the SMU senior netted a pair of first-half goals — both on penalty kicks — as the Cardinals went into the halftime break tied 2-2. Jermaine Walker (Evanston, Ill.) put the Cardinals out front nine minutes into the second half, but Ripon's Chris Quillman tallied his second of the game 23 minutes later.

"We moved the ball well, much better than we did (against Hamline)," said Dembiec. "For us to score three goals and only be able to come away with a tie, that's a little frustrating. But on the other hand, after struggling offensively the way we have, getting three goals is certainly a step in the rigtht direction."

And Dembiec and the Cardinals are going to need their offense — and defense — to be in tip-top shape when they return to the field Tuesday, playing hosting to nationally ranked Gustavus.

"We're going to have our work cut out for us," Dembiec said of Tuesday's matchup with the 15th-ranked Gusties — SMU's first home game since Sept. 8. "We're going to need to be at the top of our game."