WINONA, Minn. — After failing to convert on their offensive chances in their last four games, the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's soccer team finally got rewarded for their offensive efforts in their nonconference game against UW-La Crosse Wednesday evening.
 
Maura Michener (Winona, Minn.) picked up her first goal in a Cardinal uniform, corralling a loose ball and rifling a shot past UW-L goalkeeper Abbi Burke in the game's 79^th minute.
 
Unfortunately for coach Neil Cassidy, by the time Michener had netted collegiate goal No. 1, the high-powered Eagles' offense had already scored three times, as UW-La Crosse dealt the Cardinals a 3-1 setback at Ochrymowycz Field.
 
The Eagles did not waste a lot of time getting their offense shifted into high gear, as Alex Cording beat Saint Mary's goalkeeper Gabriella Pederson (Chaska, Minn.) in the game's ninth minute.
 
Maya Schmitt would make it 2-0—and 3-0—scoring her third of the season seven minutes after Cording's tally, before adding her second of the game and fourth of the season in the 70^th minute.
 
Michener would cut the gap to two, 3-1, eight minutes later, but that was as close as the Cardinals would get.
 
Pederson finished with five saves in goal for the Cardinals (2-11-1 overall), who return to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Saturday, hosting nationally ranked and league-leading St. Thomas in a 1 p.m. contest at Ochrymowycz Field.