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WINONA, Minn. — It wasn't the end result Saint Mary's University women's soccer coach Neil Cassidy was hoping for in his debut, but the Cardinals' first-year head coach found plenty of silver linings in Thursday's 1-0 nonconference loss to Viterbo at Ochrymowycz Field.

“You could tell it was our first game — but there we a lot of positives, too,” said Cassidy. “I thought at times we played very, very well, and then at other times, it didn't go quite so well.

“But that's to be expected in your first game of the season.”

After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, the V-Hawks broke the stalemate less than two minutes into the second half, as Nikki Reinart beat SMU goalkeeper Cassie Hulett (Milwaukee, Wis.) with what proved to be the game's only goal.

“What pleased me most tonight was how we responded after (Viterbo) scored,” said Cassidy. “We could have easily hung our heads and given up two or three more goals. Instead, we kept battling and played them tough the entire way.

“We certainly have some things to work on, but for a first game, I was pretty pleased.”

Hulett finished with six saves for the Cardinals, while Carley Esser and Stephanie Stacy teamed for a three-save shutout for the V-Hawks.

The Cardinals (0-1-0 overall) are back in action on Monday, hosting the University of St. Francis (Ill.) in an 11 a.m. nonconference game at Ochrymowycz Field.