WINONA, Minn. — If there's been one constant for the Saint Mary's University men's soccer team through its first seven games, it's been how consistently inconsistent the Cardinals have been.

Less than 24 hours after the Cardinals erupted for a season-high five goals in a 5-3 win over Carleton, SMU managed just one goal in a 2-1 nonconference loss to Simpson Sunday at Ochrymowycz Field.

"I'm honestly at a loss for words," said SMU coach Eric Luzzi, whose team fell to 2-3-2 overall with the loss. "I would say I'm frustrated with the way we played — more like disappointed.

"We did not come out at two o'clock (game time) ready to play," continued Luzzi. "For most teams, scoring five goals (the day before) would be a great confidence booster, but for us, it was more like an excuse to come out and relax and put forth a lackluster effort."

And it's been that consistent inconsistency that has Luzzi pulling his hair out.

After opening the season with a 3-1 win over Viterbo, the Cardinals' offense struggled, managed just three goals in a four-game span in which SMU went 0-2-2.

Luzzi thought perhaps his team turned the corner on Saturday, when the Cardinals erupted for three first-half goals en route to their 5-3 win over Carleton.

"I thought we played a great first 20 minutes (against Carleton)," said Luzzi. "But the last 15 minutes (of the half), we got careless. It was like everyone figured that, because we were up three goals, we didn't have to work anymore.

"Individually, we are still way too inconsistent," Luzzi said. "As a coaching staff, we don't know from day to day who's going to show up and play up to their capabilities. We had some great efforts out there today, but we also had some people who weren't so great.

"We've got to get more consistent."

And that inconsistency once again proved fatal on Sunday, as SMU failed to hold a 1-0, second-half lead.

After battling to a 0-0 tie after the game's opening 45 minutes, SMU finally broke through two minutes into the second half as Brent Anderson (Maple Grove, Minn.) netted his first goal of the season. The lead, however, lasted just seven minutes as Simpson scored the first of its two goals. The Storm then got the game-winner at the 71:46 mark, as Henry Petersen picked up his own rebound and beat SMU goalie Bob Endemann (Woodridge, Ill.).

"I think some people are getting a little too comfortable with their positions on this team — and that's going to change right now," warned Luzzi. "No spot (in the starting lineup) is secured, and everyone is going to have to earn their playing time.

"We can't afford to play the way we did this weekend, and we certainly can't afford to keep riding this wave of inconsistency," Luzzi continued. "We've got to find 11 guys who are going to go out there and give it everything they've got, all the time."

* THIS AND THAT: SMU has scored first in every game in which the Cardinals have scored a goal this season. … Mike Boland (Lake Zurich, Ill.) recorded his first collegiate hat trick in SMU's 5-3 win over Carleton on Saturday. … Boland currently leads the team in goals (7) and points (14). … Bob Endemann (Woodridge, Ill.) has played every minute in goal for SMU, posting a 2.10 goals-against-average and a .738 save percentage. … SMU's win over Carleton snapped a four-game winless streak (0-2-2). … SMU has been outscored 11-5 in the second half.