WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's soccer team put an end to its offensive woes Wednesday evening, as the Cardinals — shut out in each of their last two games, and owners of just one goal in their last three contests — scored a pair of goals against 21st-ranked St. Olaf Wednesday afternoon.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, two goals weren't enough.
St. Olaf scored once in the first half and twice in the second before SMU broke through with two tallies in the game's final 12 minutes, as the Oles handed the Cardinals a 3-2 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback at Ochrymowycz Field.
“It's tough,” said SMU coach Chris Dembiec. “We've been struggling to generate any offense, and then when we finally get that on track, our defense gets derailed.
“Somehow we've got to find a way to put it all together.”
Jack Pueringer gave the Oles' a 1-0 first half lead, beating SMU goalkeeper Jon Szafranski (Barrington, Ill.) in the game's 19th minute. The Oles would make it 2-0 and then 3-0 on back-to-back goals by John Zietlow midway through the second half, before SMU's offense came to life with goals by Andy Adair (Woodbury, Minn.) and Tony Olsen (South St. Paul, Minn.) in the game's final 12 minutes.
“It was good to see us create some offensive chances — and then capitalize on them,” said Dembiec, whose Cardinals (0-5-1 MIAC, 4-7-2 overall) are back in conference action Saturday, traveling to Hamline for a 1 p.m. contest against the Pipers. “Unfortunately, you can't be digging a three-goal hole like that and expect to be able to climb out.”
