WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's soccer coach Neil Cassidy can sum up Wednesday's nonconference game against UW-La Crosse in one word—"finally."
 
After more than their fair share of heartbreak this season—including a gut-wrenching 1-0 loss to Bethel on Saturday in which the Royals scored the game's only goal with nine seconds remaining in regulation—the Cardinals finally found out what it was like to be on the winning side of one of those nailbiters Wednesday.
 
Following 100 minutes of scoreless soccer, Emily Loof (Colorado Springs, Colo.) finally broke the ice, scoring the game's only goal just 11 seconds into the second overtime, as Saint Mary's handed UW-La Crosse a 1-0 setback at Ochrymowycz Field.
 
The Cardinals—playing their final nonconference game of the season—held a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal, with Saint Mary's goalkeeper Miranda Halling (Rochester, Minn.) stopping the Eagles' lone shot on goal in the second half in recording her second shutout of the season.
 
Saint Mary's (5-9-1 overall) returns to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Saturday, as the Cardinals entertain Saint Benedict in a 2 p.m. contest at Ochrymowycz Field.