Box Score

Duluth, MN. - The Saint Scholastica Men's soccer team stayed home to defend their home turf against the Cardinals of Saint Mary's University in another MIAC Conference match up, and honor our three seniors in today's senior day celebration.  Today's game was make or break for both teams as a loss would knock the other out of playoff contention.

Today's game did not offer a second of ease for any player on the field. It was a pure battle of attrition, and with a one man disadvantage, the Cardinals were able to outlast the Saints and pull away with a 2-3 win. 

How it Happened

1st Half 
Right from the kickoff, the game had immense intensity. Both teams knew that qualifying for playoffs could be on the line. 

Lanji Atanga (Blaine, Minn./Totino-Grace HS) took a rocket of a shot at 2:56 but was denied by the Cardinal goalkeeper. 

Both teams lacked luck, as many shots were flying from all directions but never getting close enough to score. 

Ben Hallberg (Princeton, Minn./Princeton HS) was given a red card at 28:53 after a passionate attempt to prevent the Cardinals from scoring, the Saints would now play the rest of the game men short and Marco Hernandez (Barstow, CA) would step in goal keep for the Saints. 

Just one minute later, the Cardinals scored their first of the game off of the penalty kick. 

Multiple yellow cards were given out as both teams put pressure on the offense. Hernandez adapted instantly to the fast-paced game, making a huge save at 35:03. 

The Saints used this opportunity to score their first. Ted Barker (Huntingdon, England) knocked an unassisted goal in the back of the net at 37:23. The game was tied 1-1. 

Saint Mary's made multiple attempts but the Saints' defense would not allow them to capitalize. The first half ended in a 1-1 tie. 

2nd Half 
After a dramatic first half, the teams adjusted to the environment. Hernandez made an early save just one minute in and the whole bench was on their feet. 

Gabriel Marchesoni (Surrey, BC, CA) saw an opportunity to score at the 53-minute mark but it bounced off the post. 

Following a large amount of throw-ins, inching their way down the field, the Cardinals scored and now held the goal advantage 2-1, at the 61:20 mark. 

The game would slow down for nearly a third of the second half, with the majority of the time occupied by free kicks and throw-ins, but at 74:13, Saint Mary's once again beat the goalkeeper and recorded their third goal of the game.

The Saints fought to make their way back down the field, down one man they still managed to best the defense. Charging down the right side of the field Marchesoni received a pass from the corner of the box but he was tripped up by the Saint Mary's goalkeeper and was awarded a penalty kick. Gabriel Marchesoni (Surrey, BC, CA), who leads the MIAC in shots, used his keen shooting ability to trick the defender and put the Saints to within one point of the Cardinals. 

With time quickly winding down, all the Cardinals needed to do was wind down the time, and they did just that. With numerous throw-ins, free kicks, and goal kicks, time went from 82 to 90 faster than the Saints could beat the defense again. 

The game concluded with a final score of 2-3.

Up Next
The Saints (3-11-1, 1-5 MIAC) will hit the road for two games in the coming week before returning to Kenny Harkins Field again on Saturday, November 2 at 3:30 p.m. This will be the Saints' final regular season home game of the year against Gustavus Adolphus College (7-4-4, 2-4-2 MIAC).