By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — There's something about the game's final 45 minutes that seems to bring out the best in the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's soccer team.
 
In their season-opener against Martin Luther on Friday, the Cardinals erupted for three of their four goals in the second half en route to a 4-0 victory over the Knights.
 
Sunday afternoon, the Cardinals were at it again—once again clinging to a 1-0 lead through the game's opening 45 minutes.
 
And once the game headed into the second half, the Cardinals' offense immediately kicked into high gear­—scoring six times en route to their second straight shut out win, this time a 6-0 rout of Lawrence.
 
Mary Loy (Burien, Wash.) gave the Cardinals the only goal they would need in the game's 22^nd minute, taking a feed from Maddy Wallraff (Blaine, Minn.) and beating Lawrence goalkeeper Chloe Vinopal for her first goal of the season.
 
It would remain a one-goal lead until Mackenzie Waters kick-started the Cardinal offense with her first of the season four minutes into the second half. Kassie Arriaga (Chula Vista, Calif.) made it 3-0 in the 61^st minute, and Loy tacked on her second of the game three minutes later.
 
But the Cardinals weren't finished.
 
Megan Kowalis (Castle Rock, Colo.) netted the first two goals of her collegiate career and Maura Michener (Winona, Minn.) also found the back of the net—all in the game's final three minutes—to seal the win.
 
Gabriella Pederson (Chaska, Minn.) had little trouble recording her second straight shutout in goal, as the Cardinal junior did not have to make a save. Saint Mary's, meanwhile, peppering the Vikings' net with 24 shots.
 
The Cardinals (2-0-0 overall) hit the road on Wednesday, heading to Menomonie, Wis., for a 7 p.m. nonconference game against UW-Stout.