WINONA, Minn. — It wasn't the start that came back to haunt the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's soccer team Saturday afternoon—it was the finish.
The Cardinals scored the game's first goal just 19 minutes into the opening half in their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference showdown with St. Olaf at Ochrymowycz Field.
That, however, would be the extent of the Cardinals' offensive output.
St. Olaf scored the game's final two goals—one with six minutes remaining in regulation and the game-winner five minutes into overtime—as the Oles dealt the Cardinals a 2-1 setback.
Garrett Grunke got the Cardinals on the board with his second goal of the season in the 19
th minute—off an assist from
Josh Balsiger.
Saint Mary's would maintain that one-goal advantage through the remainder of the first half—thanks in part to the goalkeeping of
Nate Levy, who stopped a St. Olaf penalty kick midway through the half to keep the Oles off the board.
St. Olaf finally broke through in the 84
th minute on a goal by Thierno Gueye, and then iced the win on a goal by Kyle Leemon just five minutes into the first overtime period.
The Cardinals (0-2-0 MIAC, 4-2-0 overall) are right back in action on Sunday, entertaining North Park in a 1 p.m. nonconference game at Ochryowycz Field.