DULUTH, Minn. — In a pivotal northern matchup, the Saint Mary's women's soccer team delivered late in the second half to earn a 2-1 victory, keeping their postseason hopes alive. The Cardinals topped the St. Scholastica Saints on a chilly afternoon at Kenny Harkins Field.

Samantha Munson came through in the clutch, netting the game-winning goal and firing off eight shots, one on target. Lauryn Skoruppa added a goal of her own and kept the pressure on with six shots on goal out of nine attempts. 

The Cardinals came out firing in the first half, applying heavy offensive pressure from the start. Malerie Williams and Skoruppa both tested St. Scholastica's goalkeeper, Rylee Senich, before Skoruppa finally broke through in the 25th minute to give the Cardinals an early lead.

Her goal finally hit the back of the net after taking two previous chances to score but both were blocked.

The Saints quickly answered back to even the score at 1-1 before halftime in a truly unstoppable goal.

In the crucial second half, the Cardinals kept their foot on the gas. 

Munson buried the go-ahead goal in the 78th minute to put Saint Mary's ahead 2-1. Despite a few late chances from St. Scholastica, including a one close call, the Cardinals held firm to seal the 2-1 win.

With the win, the Cardinals remain in sixth place in the conference standings, securing a spot in the conference tournament ahead of their final regular-season matchup. Saint Mary's will host Gustavus Adolphus, currently sitting in seventh, for an exciting Senior Day showdown on Saturday, November 1, at 3:30 p.m.