WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's soccer team entered Saturday's regular-season finale against UW-Eau Claire with their sights set on ending their 2021 campaign on a high note — while avenging a one-goal loss to the Blugolds earlier this season in the process
 
UW-Eau Claire, however, had other ideas.
 
The Blugolds scored the game's only goal in the 28th minute and held off the Cardinals the rest of the way in dealing Saint Mary's a season-ending 1-0 setback at Ochrymowycz Field.
 
Despite playing a man down for all but three minutes of the game due to a red card, it was the Blugolds who would find the back of the net, as NCAA Division III goal-scoring leader Nathan Donovan beat Cardinal goalie Daniel Sessler (Brookfield, Wis.) midway through the opening half.
 
Sessler, who recorded a career-high 12 saves against the Blugolds in the team's first meeting — a 3-2 UW-Eau Claire victory on Sept. 25 — finished with nine saves in the rematch. UW-Eau Claire goalkeeper Spencer Banks stopped the lone Saint Mary's shot on goal en route to the shutout.
 
The Cardinals closed out the 2021 campaign with a 3-12-2 overall record, while the Blugolds improved to 14-4-0 and will close out their first finished year as a collegiate program at UW-Platteville next Saturday.