WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's soccer team found itself in an unfamiliar position Sunday afternoon during its nonconference game against Nebraska Wesleyan.
 
After scoring the game's first goal and playing with the lead in each of their first four contests this season, the Cardinals found themselves staring at a 1-0 deficit 15 minutes into the first half of Sunday's championship game of the BIG Athletics/Adidas M Club Tournament at Ochrymowycz Field.
 
But being the hunter, rather than the hunted, suited Saint Mary's just fine, as the Cardinals scored a pair of unanswered goals—including Emily Loof's (Colorado Springs, Colo.) game-winner with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation—in beating the Prairie Wolves 2-1.
 
Raissa Souza gave NWU the early lead with a goal in the game's 15^th minute—a lead the Prairie Wolves would take into the halftime intermission.
 
Four minutes into the second half, however, the Cardinals pulled even, as Abby Lafko (Gilbert, Ariz.) launched a missile off a direct kick that NWU goalkeeper Jennica Johnson had no chance at stopping as it sailed into the upper corner of the net to knot the game at 1-1.
 
The game remained deadlock until the 80^th minute, when Loof's shot from out front slipped between Johnson's legs and into the net to complete Saint Mary's come-from-behind win.
 
Zoe Boleneus (Spokane, Wash.) finished with five saves in goal for the Cardinals, while Johnson stopped just one of the Cardinals' three shots.
 
The Cardinals (4-1-0 overall) kick off Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Tuesday, traveling to St. Paul, Minn., for a 4 p.m. showdown against St. Thomas.