By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — Josh Balsiger (Camas, Wash.) has been the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's soccer team's most lethal sharp-shooter this season, heading into Saturday's showdown against Hamline leading the team with a single-season career high five goals.
 
And the Cardinal junior picked the perfect opportunity to net goal No. 6.
 
Balsiger broke a scoreless deadlock five minutes into the second half, as the Cardinals picked up their second Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win, beating Hamline 1-0 at Ochrymowycz Field.
 
The first half proved to be a defensive battle, as neither team was able to generate much offense, heading into the break deadlocked at 0-0.
 
The stalemate did not last long once the teams returned from the intermission, however, as Balsiger took a feed from Johnluke Nahorski (Minnetonka, Minn.) and rifled a shot past Hamline goalkeeper Dean Isaacson.
 
And the Cardinals made that one-goal lead stand up, thanks in large part to that stifling defense, which held Hamline to just one first-half shot on goal.
 
The Cardinals (2-4-1 MIAC, 5-7-1 overall) return to conference play on Monday, traveling to St. Peter, Minn., for a 4 p.m. matchup against Gustavus.