Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CARDINAL ATHLETICS
SMUvsBL
2
Winner Saint Mary's (MN) SMU (2-0-0, 0-0-0)
1
Bethany Lutheran BLC (1-2-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Saint Mary's (MN) SMU
(2-0-0, 0-0-0)
2
Final
1
Bethany Lutheran BLC
(1-2-0, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Saint Mary's (MN) SMU 1 1 2
Bethany Lutheran BLC 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Abbie Campion

Second Half Goal Lifts Cardinals Past Vikings

WINONA, Minn. – The Cardinals were on their heels as they won in come from behind fashion to begin the 2024 season undefeated. The Cardinals scored in each half to beat the Vikings on the road by one.
 
The Cardinals put the pressure on early to start the match as the Cardinals capitalized on each Vikings miscommunication. It seemed as if the Cardinals were winning every fifty-fifty ball, one of which led to a close first shot by Alex Garcia from the right side of the box in the 18th minute.
 
Bethany Lutheran turned a page after tired legs got to the Cardinals and the Vikings had an unstoppable shot placed to the top right of the net to take the lead at the 23rd minute.
 
After two back-to-back corner kick attempts at the 28th minute, Garcia took another attempt at the same spot after a ball spit out to which hit the top of the cross bar. The Cardinals did not stop attacking the net since trailing.
 
Francesco Cardone took a free kick outside the left top of the box which grazed off the finger-tips of the keeper.
 
Cardone took a stunner of a shot, top right, which lead to a goal from distance to break the tie before half.
 
Wasting no time, the Cardinals scored just 25 seconds into the half after the kick off ball was booted forward to set Diego Giles up for a well hit ball cruising past the Vikings keeper to take the lead for the first time.
 
With fifteen minutes left, the cardinals were tested as the back line had deflected what could have been a goal from the Vikings and cleared the ball out.
 
At the 77th minute mark, Daniel Sessler snagged the ball out of the air after a Vikings free kick was served in to keep the Cardinals ahead. Sessler came off his line once more in attempt to save another cross in, Josh Pannkuk saved the close call with a header to clear if from the goal.
 
The Vikings applied pressure as they had a chance for an equalizer at the 87th minute mark with a free kick outside the back that was kicked directly at Sessler.
 
The Cardinals return to the Och Friday, Sept. 6th for a 7pm start.
 
Print Friendly Version
Skip Ad