Box Score  | GameDay Preview

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's soccer team dug themselves a hole Saturday afternoon, falling behind host Hamline 2-0.

And, unfortunately for head coach Pete Watkins, the Cardinals' couldn't shovel fast enough to dig themselves out, as the Pipers handed SMU a 2-1 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback.

“It's tough to try and play catch-up in this league,” said Watkins. “We came out a little slow and (Hamline) took advantage. We dug ourselves into a two-goal hole and just couldn't climb all the way out.”

After a scoreless first half, Greg Northrop got the Pipers on the board just 34 seconds into the second half, beating SMU goalkeeper Chris Williams (Chicago, Ill.) with a shot from the left side. Sam Slagle pushed the Hamline lead to 2-0 on a direct kick in the game's 61st minute.

Juamaine Venter (Rochester, Minn.) pulled the Cardinals within one, taking a feed from Kameron McKeeth (Woodstock, Ga.) and beating Hamline goalkeeper Spencer VonBehren with less than 28 minutes remaining in regulation.

That, however, would be as close as the Cardinals would get, as the Pipers held SMU off the board the rest of the way to seal the win.

Williams finished with seven saves in goal for the Cardinals, while VonBehren stopped three of SMU's four shots on goal.

The Cardinals (1-5-0 MIAC, 2-8-1 overall) are back in action — and back on the road — on Wednesday, traveling to Carleton for a 4 p.m. conference contest against the Knights.