Box Score  | GameDay Preview

NORTHFIELD, Minn. — Saint Mary's University men's soccer coach Pete Watkins knew exactly what his Cardinals were getting into when they stepped on the pitch for Saturday's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference showdown with Carleton.

With a resume that includes five MIAC regular-season titles in the last six seasons —and a 46-9-6 record against conference foes over that span — the Knights are unquestionably among the cream of the MIAC crop.

And for the first 45 minutes, the Cardinals — led by goalkeeper Joey Petrich (Elk River, Minn.) — stood toe-to-toe with the high-powered Knights.

Petrich did the perfect impersonation of a brick wall in that opening half — stopping all seven Carleton shots in helping SMU to a 0-0 deadlock at the break.

In an 18-minute span over the final 45 minutes, however, the Knights found a break in that wall, scoring a pair of goals to hand the Cardinals a 2-0 setback.

Branden McGarrity broke the scoreless deadlock in the game's 64th minute, feathering a 35-yard free kick over the outstretched arms of Petrich and into the upper right-hand corner.

Ben Walsh would make it 2-0 18 minutes later, as he headed a pass from Will Corcoran that eluded Petrich — and the crossbar — for his first goal of the season.

Petrich finished the afternoon with eight saves, while Carleton goalkeeper Keenan Smith stopped all three SMU shots in recording the shutout.

SMU (0-2 MIAC, 3-3-1 overall) steps out of conference play on Wednesday, hosting Luther in a 7:30 p.m. contest at Ochrymowycz Field. The Cardinals are back in MIAC action on Saturday, traveling to St. Paul, Minn., for a 1 p.m. contest against St. Thomas.