WINONA, Minn. — Eli Szymanski (La Crosse, Wis.) proved once again Saturday afternoon that he truly is the Penalty Kick King..

Szymanski scored a pair of goals, both via penalty kick, in leading the Saint Mary's men's soccer team to a 3-1 nonconference win over Edgewood in the Cardinals' home-opener at Ochrymowycz Field.

In what proved to be a physical contest right off the bat, the Eagles were the ones to strike first, scoring on a penalty kick of their own off the foot of Edwin Aguirre in the ninth minute.

The Cardinals did not waste any time responding, however, as Jack Hurley (Homewood, Ill.)  sniped a shot past Edgewood goalkeeper Jack Gentner for his first collegiate goal just three minutes after Aguiree's tally.

With the score deadlocked at 1-1 with less than seven minutes until halftime, Szymanski made his presence felt, converting on the first of his two penalty kick goals for a 2-1 Saint Mary's lead at the break.

The Cardinals turned up the offensive pressure in the second half, recording six shots on goal — three of which came from Szymanski.

In the 64th minute, Szymanski found the back of the net for a second time — giving the Cardinal senior six penalty kick goals in his collegiate career, and pushing his four-year total to 16 goals, ranking him ninth all-time.

Jake Wing (Verona, Wis.) stopped two of the Eagles' three shots on goal en route to his first collegiate win in his first collegiate start.
 
The Cardinals (1-1-0 overall) are back in action Monday, returning to Ochrymowycz Field for a 7 p.m. nonconference game against Martin Luther.