ST. PETER, Minn. — After scoring a pair of goals in last Saturday's 3-2 nonconference loss to UW-Eau Claire, it appeared as if the Saint Mary's University men's soccer team's offensive attack was back on track.
 
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, appearances can be deceiving.
 
After scoring as many goals against the Blugolds as they had in their previous four games combined, the Cardinals' offense returned to its late-September hibernation Tuesday afternoon against Gustavus.
 
The Gusties grabbed an early lead, scoring in the game's 17th minute in dealing Saint Mary's a 1-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback.
 
Cole Schwartz scored what proved to be the game-winning goal less than 18 minutes into the opening half — and a stifling GAC defense limited the Cardinals to just three shots on goal en route to posting its third conference win in four tries.
 
Daniel Sessler (Brookfield, Ill.) — coming off a career-high 12-save performance in last Saturday's 3-2 loss to UW-Eau Claire — was once again busy between the pipes for the Cardinals, stopping nine of the Gusties' 10 shots on goal. GAC goalkeeper Wesley Sanders, meanwhile, stopped all three SMU shots he faced in recording the shutout.
 
After back-to-back road games, the Cardinals (0-4-0 MIAC, 3-6-0 overall) return home on Saturday, welcoming Concordia to Ochrymowycz Field for a 12:30 p.m. conference matchup.