Box Score  | GameDay Preview

WINONA, Minn. — It's been said that a two-score advantage — no matter what the sport — is the worst lead to have.

And Saint Mary's University men's soccer coach Pete Watkins can attest to that.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the game was even 21 minutes old against unbeaten St. Thomas Wednesday evening.

UST, however, rattled off three unanswered goals — including two in a two-minute span late in the first half — then scored the game-winner 15 seconds into overtime to hand the Cardinals a 4-3 setback in the teams' Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener.

“It's a tough way to lose,” said Watkins. “I thought we played very well — we had some freshmen step up due to injuries and really give us a boost.

“I was really proud of the way this team battled all game,” Watkins added. “A two-score lead is the toughest lead to hold — because you give up one goal and your opponent then has the momentum and has you back on your heels.

“I'd much rather have a one-goal or three-goal lead, that's for sure.”

The Cardinals didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard, as Krystian Drozdz (Franklin Park, Ill.) scored his first collegiate goal in the game's second minute. Nineteen minutes later, Drozdz was at it again, beating UST goalkeeper Jace Leiverman to give SMU a 2-0 advantage.

St. Thomas would pull even before the halftime break, as Mark Smith and Nick Rapistarta got shots past SMU goalkeeper Dontae Gillespie (Naperville, Ill.).

The Tommies would take their first lead of the game in the game's 85th minute, as Rapistarta scored his second of the game and fifth of the season. This time, it was the Cardinals' turn to answer quickly, as Matt Graber (Denver, Colo.) converted on a penalty kick less than two minutes after Rapistarta's second tally to knot the game and send it into overtime.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the extra session did not last long — 15 seconds to be exact — as Macalester Enderson ended the game with his first goal of the season.

Gillespie finished with seven saves in goal for the Cardinals, while Leiverman stopped two of SMU's five shots.

The Cardinals (0-1-0 MIAC, 2-3-0 overall) are back in action on Saturday, traveling to Northfield, Minn., for a 1 p.m. conference game against St. Olaf.

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