RIPON, Wis. — After coming up empty in its previous two games, the Saint Mary's University men's soccer team appeared to have put its offensive woes behind them, as the Cardinals scored twice in their nonconference game against Ripon.
 
Unfortunately, two goals wasn't quite enough to get the Cardinals back on the winning track, as Ripon scored a pair of second-half goals — and held off a late SMU charge — in dealing Saint Mary's a 3-2 setback Wednesday afternoon.
 
Despite the Cardinals' domination in the opening 45 minutes — attempting the game's first eight shots — it was the Red Hawks who struck first, getting a goal from Josh Prill in the 32nd minute.
 
The Ripon lead did not last long — four minutes to be exact.
 
Landon Pendleton (Mobile, Ala.) put an end to Saint Mary's two-game scoreless slump, netting his third of the season to pull the Cardinals even, 1-1.
 
The Red Hawks regained the upper hand with a goal early in the second half, and added another in the 86th minute, before Saint Mary's Eli Szymanski (La Crosse, Wis.) made it a one-goal game with his team-leading seventh of the season one minute alter.
 
That, however, would be as close as the Cardinals would get.
 
Saint Mary's held a commanding 24-7 lead in shots attempted, while both teams finished with seven shots on goal.
 
Daniel Sessler (Brookfield, Ill.) recorded four saves in goal for the Cardinals, while Ripon goalkeeper Kalen Narance finished with five saves.
 
The Cardinals (3-8-0 overall) return to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Saturday, heading to Augsburg's Edor Nelson Field in Minneapolis, Minn., for a 12:30 p.m. showdown with the Auggies.