MORAGA, Calif. -- The Saint Mary's men's soccer team equaled its highest scoring output in the last six years and ran its win streak to 4-straight matches with a thrilling 4-2 victory over highly-regarded Seattle University Friday afternoon at Garaventa Soccer Field.

The win puts the Gaels at 4-2-0 on the season with three of its four victories coming against teams ranked among the top-30 in the country.  Seattle U, ranked 29th in the most recent national coaches poll, falls to 3-3-0.

"Our team showed so much character today to come out with a win," said SMC head coach Adam Cooper.  "Seattle U really has a good team.  They are organized and they have some dangerous players so we knew were in for a tough afternoon.  

"With all the injuries and players out lately, we've had several guys step-up. We are playing musical chairs a little bit with our lineup right now.  But, I have to give our guys a ton of credit.  They are stepping up and doing a good job.  This was a good overall team victory."

Statistically, the two teams were virtually even in every category except the score.  Seattle U. registered 13 shots to 12 for the Gaels and both teams registered three saves.  Fouls were equal at 13 apiece. 

SMC senior goalkeeper Andre Rawls posted three saves and improved his record to 4-2-0 on the season.  Seattle U's Shane Haworth also registered three saves, but fell to 3-3-0.

The Gaels' four goals equaled the most in a single match since a 4-2 victory at Navy in 2008.  Last season, Saint Mary's earned a 4-1 win at San Francisco.

SU senior Brady Ballew put the Redhawks on the scoreboard in the 23rd minute when he dribbled into the left side of the penalty area and sent a shot across the face of the goal and into the lower corner past Rawls for his fourth goal of the season.

Just before halftime, the Gaels struck twice in less than a minute.  With in the 44th minute defender Lucas Isaacson connected with a header off a Rafael Sanchez free kick that raced past Haworth to tie the score at a goal apiece.

Just seconds later, sophomore Carlo Eikani took a pass from Nathan Grixti and beat Haworth 1v1 into the lower right corner to give SMC a 2-1 lead going into halftime.

In the second half, Seattle U. pushed forward right at the kickoff.  Sophomore Jeff Rose blasted a shot toward goal from the left flank that forced Rawls to a reaction save that floated toward the back post.  Senior Race Sciabica sent a volley into the near post to give SU the equalizer.

In the 69th minute, Sanchez made a defensive stop in the middle of the field and quickly passed it forward to redshirt freshman Nathan Grixti.  The San Ramon native dribbled into a 1v1 with Haworth and chipped it over the keeper's head into the lower left corner for the eventual match winner.

Senior Michael Semenza gave the Gaels a 2-goal lead in the 71st minute when he connected on a one-time volley into the left corner off a looping cross from freshman Dakota Armour.

Saint Mary's returns to action Sunday when it completes a four-game homestand with a 2 p.m. contest against South Bay rival San Jose State at Garaventa Soccer Field.  Admission is free and live statistical coverage will be available on SMCGaels.com.

"Our team and San Jose State, for some reason, just love to go at it," said Cooper.  "They are having a better season than their record indicates.  They are very tough, hard to play and they are well-coached.  They play good soccer and we really do have a battle on our hands on Sunday."

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