NORTHFIELD, Minn. — After back-to-back-to-back 1-0 losses, the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's soccer team was looking to change things up when the Cardinals took to the field Saturday against St. Olaf.
And change there was.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the change wasn't quite what they had in mind, as St. Olaf scored a pair of first-half goals and added another in the second in handing Saint Mary's a 3-0 setback.
The Oles wasted little time getting their offense on track, as Mackenzie Schoustra found the back of the net for the fifth time this season—giving St. Olaf a 1-0 lead just 7:38 into the first half. Nine minutes later, Emily Helle pushed that advantage to 2-0, beating Saint Mary's goalkeeper
Gabriella Pederson (Chaska, Minn.) for her second goal of the game. Sarah Fisco then tacked on the Oles' third goal early in the second half to ice the win.
Pederson finished with three saves in goal for the Cardinals, while the St. Olaf smothering defense held Saint Mary's without a shot on goal.
The Cardinals (0-7-0 MIAC, 2-10-1 overall) step out of conference play for the final time on Wednesday, entertaining nationally ranked UW-La Crosse in a 7 p.m. contest at Ochrymowycz Field.