SMU's Melissa Radermacher tries to get around USF's Ann Zajda during Monday's game at Ochrymowycz Field

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WINONA, Minn. — For the second game in a row, the Saint Mary's University women's soccer team's defense was nearly flawless, holding their second straight opponent to just a single, second-half goal on Monday.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals and coach Neil Cassidy, for the second consecutive game, the SMU offense was unable to put the ball in the net, as St. Francis (Ill.) handed Saint Mary's a 1-0 nonconference setback at Ochrymowycz Field.

“That was an awesome game, hard-fought on both sides from start to finish,” said Cassidy, whose team had opened the season with a 1-0 nonconference loss to Viterbo last Thursday. “The final score definitely wasn't indicative of the game — we possessed the ball for most of the game and made (St. Francis) chase.

“Defensively, we were outstanding — offensively, we just weren't able to convert on our chances.”

And the Cardinals had their share of chances, holding a 13-11 edge in shot attempts — not to mention clanking a shot off the crossbar late in the first half.

The Fighting Saints also banged a shot off the crossbar early in the second half, before breaking the scoreless tie in the game's 83rd minute, as Liceth Robles picked up a loose ball inside the box and rifled a shot past SMU goalkeeper Miranda Halling (Rochester, Minn.).

Halling, making her first collegiate start, stopped five of the Fighting Saints' six shots, while USF goalkeeper Danielle DeMent finished with three saves.

“It's disappointing that we weren't able to get the proper result, but there are plenty of positives to take away from this game,” Cassidy said. “The progress we've made from Thursday's game to today's is amazing.”

The Cardinals (0-2-0 overall) are back in action Saturday, traveling to Oshkosh, Wis., for an 11 a.m. nonconference game against UW-Oshkosh.

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