For the official GameDay Program for today's game pdf / click here (pdf)

THE MATCHUP

Saint Mary's vs. Concordia vs. Saturday, Oct. 2 2004 Ochrymowycz Field 1 p.m.

GAMEDAY PLAYER PROFILE

Courtney Gibson Year Junior Position Defender/ Midfield Hometown Woodbury, MN

WINONA, Minn. — Through the season’s first nine games, Saint Mary’s University women’s soccer coach Tony Guinn has watched his team steadily improve with each performance.

In fact, in those nine games, his Cardinals had managed a 3-5-1 overall record — equaling SMU’s win total of a year ago.

But something was still missing for the first-year head coach — that first Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory.

It’s not missing anymore, as the Cardinals served up MIAC win No. 1 on a silver platter, scoring three straight goals, then holding off a furious Gustavus second-half comeback en route to a 3-2 victory Wednesday at Ochrymowycz Field.

“Everyone warned me that the (MIAC) was a tough, tough conference,” said Guinn. “And all those people weren’t kidding — not only are all the teams well-coached, but they are all full of talented players.

“We proved through the first nine games that we are an up-and-coming team — winning three of those first nine — but to get that first conference win is extra-special,” Guinn continued. “I think it sends a message that we can play in this league.”

This afternoon, the Cardinals will get a chance to deliver that same message to one of the top teams in the conference — Concordia, which enters today’s game on the heels of its first MIAC loss of the season, a 5-3 setback to Macalester.

“We’ve continued to show improvement every time out,” Guinn said. “Concordia is going to be a tough test — hopefully we can continue to play like we have lately.”