WINONA, Minn. — It's a big week on the Saint Mary's University campus, as the fall sports season heats up and hockey officially returns. The 2025–26 hockey season gets underway with key matchups on the ice, while other Cardinal teams continue their push through critical points of their seasons.
CROSS COUNTRY RECAP
The Saint Mary's cross country teams made a strong showing at the competitive Augustana Interregional Invitational, which featured 15 nationally ranked men's teams and 13 nationally ranked women's teams. The Cardinals collected five season or personal bests on the day.
Mya Slavin led the way with a personal-best time of 23:55 — just four seconds shy of the program record — finishing 52nd overall. The team now turns its focus to the MIAC Championships on Saturday, November 1, at Highland Park Golf Course.
WOMEN'S HOCKEY OPENS AT HOME
Hockey season is officially here! The Saint Mary's women's hockey team kicks off their campaign at home with two big games this weekend. They host No. 6 St. Norbert in an exhibition on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7:00 p.m., then welcome MSOE on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. for the sixth annual Cardinal Hockey Ice Breaker, featuring open skating and family activities following the game.
The Cardinals enter the season receiving national poll votes and are looking to make a statement early.
MEN'S HOCKEY SEASON BEGINS
The men's hockey team also opens its season this weekend. The Cardinals travel to Appleton, Wis., to face Lawrence in an exhibition on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7:00 p.m. They'll return home to host UW-Stout on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7:00 p.m., wrapping up Ice Breaker Day at the Saint Mary's Ice Arena.
VOLLEYBALL HITS THE ROAD
After a four-set loss to Saint Benedict last weekend, the Cardinal volleyball (10-11, 3-3) team heads to St. Catherine (7-13, 3-3) on Friday, Oct. 24 for a key conference matchup at 7:00 p.m. Both teams enter the match with identical 3–3 MIAC records, making it a pivotal game for postseason positioning.
MEN'S SOCCER LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK
With three regular-season games remaining, the men's soccer (4-8-3, 1-5-1) team is hoping to finish strong. The Cardinals dropped matches last week to Carleton and No. 8 St. Olaf, but will look to rebound Saturday, Oct. 25 with a road match at St. Scholastica (2-10-4, 2-4-1) in Duluth at 1:00 p.m.
WOMEN'S SOCCER EYES PLAYOFF PUSH
The Saint Mary's women's soccer team (8-5-2, 2-4-2) aims to get back on track after losses to conference leaders St. Olaf and No. 23 Carleton. Currently sitting eighth in the standings — with only the top six advancing to the MIAC playoffs — this week is crucial.
They host Saint Benedict (5-10, 3-5) on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. in a must-win matchup, with the Bennies sitting just one spot ahead. The Cardinals will then join the men's team in Duluth on Saturday, taking on St. Scholastica (4-9-3, 2-4-2) at 3:30 p.m.
It's an action-packed week for Cardinal athletics. Go Cardinals!
