WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's soccer coach Pete Watkins must have felt like he stepped into a time machine Wednesday evening and traveled back in time.
 
Four days back.
 
After all, his Cardinals did to Gustavus Wednesday what they did to Bethel last Saturday—held their opponent scoreless.
 
But then, the Gusties did Wednesday, what the Royals did Saturday, too—held the Cardinals scoreless.
 
Saint Mary's, thanks in large part to the play of Cardinal goalkeeper Evan Claffy (Joliet, Ill.)—and the Gustavus goal posts—battled Gustavus to a 0-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference deadlock at Ochrymowycz Field.
 
"That was a great collegiate soccer game," said Saint Mary's coach Pete Watkins. "Our guys played extremely well defensively—they really stuck to the game plan and worked hard from start to finish."
 
Claffy did his part in helping the Cardinals secure another conference point, as the senior goalkeeper stopped all eight Gustavus shots he faced en route to his second straight shutout. Claffy recorded six saves in last Saturday's 0-0 tie against Bethel and has now lowered his goals-against-average to 1.18.
 
Gustavus goalkeeper Anders Severson was also flawless, making three saves in recording his sixth shutout of the season.
 
Severson, did, however, get a little help from the goal post—twice. Saint Mary's Jared Wolt (Farmington, Minn.) and Cody Balogh (Batavia, Ill.) each clanked shots off the goal posts—with Balogh's coming with just 10 seconds remaining in regulation.
 
The Cardinals (0-2-2 MIAC, 3-4-2 overall)—who have now played three straight overtime games—are back in action on Saturday, traveling to Moorhead, Minn., for a 3:30 p.m. conference matchup with Concordia.