By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
ST. PETER, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's soccer team entered Tuesday's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game against Gustavus determined to get its offense kicked into high gear, while its defense smothered the Gusties' high-octane offense.
 
And the game plan worked — for the game's opening 45 minutes.
 
Unfortunately, the Gusties erupted for a pair of second-half goals — and the Cardinals were held off the scoreboard, despite eight shots on goal — as Gustavus dealt Saint Mary's a 2-0 conference setback.
 
The Cardinals — thanks in large part to the play of goalkeeper Gabriella Pederson (Chaska, Minn.) — took a 0-0 deadlock into the halftime break. Pederson stopped all six GAC shots during the opening 45 minutes to keep the game scoreless.
 
Gustavus finally broke through, however, nine minutes into the second half, as Abby Mullenbach netted an unassisted tally — her fifth of the season.
 
Ten minutes later, the Gusties struck again, this time getting a goal from Emily Skogseth in the 74^th minute to push the Gustavus lead to 2-0.
 
Pederson — making her 13^th consecutive start in goal — finished with eight saves in goal for the Cardinals, while Abby Goodno stopped all eight Saint Mary's shots in recording the shutout for the Gusties.
 
Kassie Arriaga (Chula Vista, Calif.) delivered a team-high five shots for the Cardinals, while Maura Michener (Winona, Minn.) chipped in four, as the duo accounted for nine of Saint Mary's 11 shot attempts.
 
The Cardinals (0-7-0 MIAC, 5-8-0 overall) return home on Saturday, hosting Hamline in a 1 p.m. conference matchup at Ochrymowycz Field.