WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University's Eli Szymanski (La Crosse, Wis.) has established himself as a master of the penalty kick — scoring four of his first six goals this season from 12-yard PK line.
 
Wednesday evening against St. Olaf, however, the Cardinal senior decided to step out of his comfort zone, doubling his scoring range with a 24-yard bomb that pulled the Saint Mary's men's soccer team to within a goal of nationally ranked St. Olaf.
 
Unfortunately, that goal would not be enough, as the 17th-ranked Oles held off SMU's second-half surge in dealing the Cardinals 2-1 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback at Ochrymowycz Field.
 
The Oles struck early — and often — in the first half, getting a penalty kick goal by Victor Gaulmin in the 22nd minute and an unassisted tally from Shea Bechtel four minutes later for what appeared to be a commanding 2-0 advantage.
 
The Oles maintained that 2-0 cushion into the early portion of the second half, but when Szymanski's long-distance laser with just under 30 minutes to play in regulation found the back of the net, the momentum appeared to have shifted in the Cardinals' favor.
 
 
Saint Mary's had a golden opportunity to pull even with the high-powered Oles with just under five minutes to play when Diego Rivera got free down the right side, but St. Olaf goalkeeper Austin Williams was up to the task, smothering Rivera's shot and preserving the Oles' sixth MIAC win in as many contests.
 
The Cardinals (0-7 MIAC, 3-10 overall) are back in action on Saturday, when they entertain Bethel in a 12:30 p.m. conference matchup at Ochrymowycz Field.