The Saint Mary's University men's soccer team kicks off its 2009 season with the first of two home games, as the Cardinals play host to Martin Luther Saturday in a 7 p.m. nonconference contest at Ochrymowycz Field.
Records: Saint Mary's (0-0-0 Overall) / Martin Luther (0-0 Overall)
Last Action: Today's game is the season opener for both teams.
Last Meeting: Today's game is the first-ever between the Cardinals and the Knights.
SMU Cardinal Notes: Goalkeeper Jon Szafranski (Barrington, Ill.) was named First-Team All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference a year ago. Szafranski started all 10 conference games for SMU, compiling a 3.35 goals-against-average and a .712 save percentage in leading SMU to a 2-7-1 MIAC record. His 84 saves and 8.40 saves-per-game ranked No. 2 to Bethel's Nick Cantor in both conference categories. … SMU's season-ending, 2-1 overtime win over Bethel a year ago was the Cardinals' second straight win, and the first time the Cardinals had won back-to-back games since opening the 2006 season with victories over Rockford and North Central. … The two wins to end the season also marked the first time SMU has won consecutive conference games since beating St. Olaf and Augsburg in 2005. … SMU's win vs. Bethel was SMU's third overtime game a year ago. The Cardinals went 2-0-1 in those three games. … Szafranski started all 18 games for the Cardinals, stopping 152 of the 209 shots he faced for a 3.33 goals-against-average and a .713 save percentage. He also posted two shutouts — a three-save effort vs. Ripon and a six-save showing vs. St. Thomas. … Szafranski became SMU's all-time saves leader with 302 stops in his three-year career, while his 152 saves this season also equalled Eric Luzzi's single-season record, set in 1994. … Szafranski finished second in the MIAC in saves (84) and saves-per-game (8.40 spg). … Szafranski made 10 or more saves in seven of SMU's 18 games — including a season-high 16 saves in a 4-0 loss to Puget Sound on Sept. 6. … SMU boasted four players with a team-leading three goals last season — Steve Boussie (Troy, Mich), Cristian Reyes (Goshen, Ind.), Adam Lindsay (Freemont, Wis.) and Bobby Gas (Lake Zurich, Ill.). … Gas also finished as SMU's points leader with eight, while sophomore Ryan Rademacher (La Crosse, Wis.) had a team-leading five assists. … The Cardinals' 17 goals came from seven different players.
Martin Luther Knight Notes: The Knights are coming off a 9-7-2 overall record a year ago, including a 6-6-2 mark and fifth-place finish in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). … GK Alex Vandenberg is coming off a record-setting junior campaign. The senior started all 18 games for the Knights in 2008, posting a 1.34 goals-against-average with a school-record five shutouts. … Evan Chartrand, an honorable-mention All-UMAC performer a year ago, returns as the Knights' top offensive threat, having record five points (1 goal, 3 assists) a year ago. … Martin Luther is without its top five goal scorers from a year ago — including leading scorer Phillip Kurbis (16 goals, 5 assists, 37 points). … Martin Luther outscored its opponents 24-8 in the game's opening 45 minutes. … Head coach Paul Koelpin is entering his 14th season as the Knights' head coaching, compiling a 116-112-16 record.
