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2005 Records:
0-0-0 MIAC, 0-3-1 Overall
Last Week's Results:
Loras 3, Saint Mary's 0 / Details
Carthage 3, Saint Mary's 3 / Details
Upcoming Events:
Wed., Sept. 14: SMU at Hamline, 4 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 17: SMU at Carleton, 1 p.m.
This and That:
Ryan O'Connor (San Diego, Calif.) stopped a career-high 19 shots in Saturday's loss to Carthage. … After opening the season with a 1-1 tie vs. Simpson, the Cardinals have dropped three straight 3-0 decisions. … Mike Schmitt (Woodridge, Ill.), who boasted a team-high five goals and 11 points a year ago, has scored SMU's lone goal this season. … SMU's first two conference games this week are both on the road, meanding the Cardinals will have played five of its first six games away from home.


Third time anything but a charm for Cardinals, who
drop third straight 3-0 decision in loss to Carthage

WINONA, Minn. —  The third time was anything but a charm for the Saint Mary's University men's soccer team, as the Cardinals dropped their third straight — all by the same 3-0 count.

To make matters worse, Carthage's Brian Santella scored all three goals Saturday as the Redmen handed SMU its latest 3-0 setback.

"It's like I'm living in that moving Groundhog Day," said SMU coach Eric Luzzi. "It's the same thing day after day. We came out flat (last Monday) against Loras and it cost us, and six days later – after some excellent training sessions — we came out and did the same thing (against Carthage).

"I don't know what to say — I feel like, heading into the games, we're well prepared, but once we step on the field, that intensity just isn't there."

Santella got Carthage on the board 20 minutes into the opening half, taking a cross from Max Zbliut and beating SMU goalkeeper Ryan O'Connor (San Diego, Calif.). Santella and the Redmen padded their lead to 2-0 in the game's 71st minute, then closed out the scoring nine minutes later.

O'Connor finished with a career-high 19 saves, while Carthage goalkeeper Drew Baker stopped all three SMU shots he faced.

"Ryan played outstanding – he's played great for us all season," said Luzzi of his freshman goalkeeper. "But we've got to figure out a way to give him some help — both offensively and defensively. You aren't going to win many games when you give up 22 shots on goal, and you aren't going to win many games when you don't score a goal.

"It's tough right now — but we're certainly not about to throw i the towel after four games," continued Luzzi, whose team opens MIAC play on Wednesday, traveling to Hamline. "We're just going to keep plugging way, and hopefully we can get this turned around."