WINONA, Minn. — A dominant second-half performance propelled the Saint Mary's University men's soccer team (4-6-3, 1-3-1) to a 4-1 victory over the visiting UW-Stout Blue Devils (1-9-3, 1-0-1), who are just in their second year as a program, Wednesday evening at Ochrymowycz Field.

Despite a scoreless first half that saw the Cardinals control possession and pepper the Stout net with shots, it was the Blue Devils who broke through first, scoring just 35 seconds into the second half.

But that would be the wake-up call the Cardinals needed.

Thomas Laaksonen pulled the Cardinals even in the 52nd minute, finishing off a setup that dinged off the post in from Caleb Gilbert. Just 21 seconds later, Cohan Hare gave the Cardinals the lead for good, burying a feed from Ivan Ruiz for a stunning two-goal burst in under a minute.

The Cardinals weren't done.

Laaksonen struck again in the 78th minute, his second of the game, this time assisted by CJ Tree, before freshman Xander Lebakken capped the offensive outburst in the 83rd minute with his first collegiate goal, assisted by Laaksonen, who finished with a game-high five points!

Saint Mary's finished the match with 24 shots, including 10 on goal, while goalkeeper Ryan Horlock made three saves to preserve the win.

With nonconference play now behind them, Saint Mary's returns to MIAC action next Wednesday, October 15, hosting No. 8-ranked St. Olaf for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.