WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's soccer team headed into Wednesday's nonconference matchup against Simpson in the midst of an offensive funk, having been shut out in each of its previous two games.
 
And unfortunately, the Cardinals' offensive struggles continued against the Storm, as Simpson limited Saint Mary's to just two shots on goal — and made a tally of its own in the 37th minute stand up — in dealing SMU a 1-0 setback at Ochrymowycz Field.
 
It was an evenly played first half, with Simpson managing three shots on goal, while the Cardinals had two — including a header by Rolando Lopez (Berwyn, Ill.) in the box that was narrowly blocked by Simpson goalkeeper Nate Hersom.
 
The Cardinals appeared set to take a scoreless deadlock into the intermission, only to have Simpson's Baraka Ellie sneak a shot past Cardinal goalkeeper Daniel Sessler (Brookfield, Ill.) in the 38th minute to snag a 1-0 lead at the break.
 
Simpson had a pair of golden opportunities to extend its lead, but Sessler was up to the challenge, making a pair of acrobatic saves in the 78th minute to keep it a one-goal game.
 
The Cardinals (3-3-2 overall) will next take the field on Saturday, when they host unbeaten UW-Eau Claire in a 3:30 p.m. nonconference game at Ochrymowycz Field.