WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's tennis team was forced to put in a little extra work in its season-opening nonconference match against Northwestern Friday evening.
 
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, when the dust settled and the tiebreakers were completed, Saint Mary's came up on the short end of a 6-3 decision to the Eagles.
 
Northwestern grabbed a 3-0 lead after doubles play — thanks in part to back-to-back 8-7 wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles.
 
Those two marathon doubles matches proved to be the difference in the match, as the two teams split their six singles matches — with E.J. Hietala (Duluth, Minn.) ad Brendon Raabolle (Andover, Minn.) winning three-setters and Josh Janssen (Green Bay, Wis.) adding a 6-2, 6-1 victory for the Cardinals.
 
"It was a tough match for the guys," said Saint Mary's men's coach Jeff Halberg. "Those two doubles matches were the difference — if we come away with wins there, we are heading home with a 5-4 win. We were that close.
 
"The guys played well, Northwestern played just a little bit better."
 
The Cardinals (0-1 overall) are right back in action on Saturday, returning to the Winona Tennis Center for a 12:30 p.m. nonconference match against Martin Luther.