WINONA, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica women's soccer team grabbed an early lead Saturday afternoon, but Saint Mary's University scored three unanswered goals to earn a 3-1 MIAC victory at Ochrymowycz Field.
The Saints struck first in the 11th minute. Celia Prenier (Esko, MN/Esko HS) set up Lily Rippie (Inver Grove Heights, MN/Rosemount HS), who found the back of the net at 10:38 for her second goal of the season to give St. Scholastica a 1-0 advantage.
St. Scholastica held the lead for nearly the remainder of the opening half despite sustained pressure from the Cardinals. Goalkeeper Addie Aleshire (Fridley, MN/Fridley HS) made four first-half saves, but Saint Mary's broke through with just three seconds remaining before halftime. Makayla Clow scored at 44:57 to send the teams into the break tied 1-1.
The Cardinals carried that momentum into the second half, taking the lead less than two minutes after the restart. Kaylen Pray scored unassisted at 46:50 to put Saint Mary's ahead 2-1.
St. Scholastica generated several chances in response. Hannah Holm (Elk River, MN/Elk River HS) put a shot on goal in the 60th minute before Rippie forced another save in the 63rd. The Saints continued to pressure, but Saint Mary's added to its advantage at 64:01 when Pray scored her second goal of the afternoon to make it 3-1.
CSS nearly answered immediately, with Rippie putting another attempt on frame less than a minute later, but the Cardinals kept the Saints off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
St. Scholastica finished with 10 shots, including six on goal, and generated seven corner kicks. Saint Mary's held an 18-10 advantage in total shots and a 10-6 edge in shots on goal.
Rippie led the Saints with three shots, all on goal, while Anna Manion (Superior, WI/Superior HS) also recorded three attempts. Lauren Hughes (Cloquet, MN/Cloquet High School), Hannah Holm (Elk River, MN/Elk River HS) and Julia Lewis (Maple Grove, MN/Maple Grove HS) each put a shot on target. Aleshire played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with seven saves.
The loss moved St. Scholastica to 3-6 overall and 0-3 in MIAC play. Saint Mary's improved to 2-5-1 overall and 1-2 in the conference.
