ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's soccer coach Neil Cassidy knew the importance of getting off to a quick start in the Cardinals' Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference showdown with Saint Benedict.
 
And there certainly was a quick start—to the tune of three goals in the first 35 minutes.
 
Unfortunately for Cassidy and the Cardinals, it was the Blazers who were off and running from the opening kick, scoring three times in the first 35 minutes and adding two more tallies in the second half in handing Saint Mary's a 5-0 conference setback.
 
Taylor Hedin, Gracie Vaughan and Kelsey Tatarek all scored their first goals of the season to give the Blazers a 3-0 first-half advantage, while Vaughan netted her second of the game in the 61st minute and Valerie Clintsman closed out the scoring two minutes later.
 
Aubrie Cornell (Columbia, Mo.) finished with four saves in goal for the Cardinals, while CSB goalkeeper Heather Kaluzniak stopped the lone Saint Mary's shot she faced in recording the shutout.
 
The Cardinals step out of conference play on Wednesday, traveling to Menomonie, Wis., for a 7 p.m. matchup against UW-Stout.