Box Score | GameDay Preview

WINONA, Minn. – The Saint Mary's University men's soccer team and coach Pete Watkins must have felt as though they got run over by a run-away truck during Tuesday's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game against nationally ranked Gustavus.

The Gusties gave the Cardinals a first-hand look at why they are ranked No. 20 in the latest NSCAA poll, as Gustavus kicked off the scoring early and never looked back in beating SMU 5-0 at Ochrymowycz Field.

“They're good,” understated Watkins of the Gusties. “Fantastic team. I've seen some really good teams, and they're definitely one of them.”

The Gusties kept Cardinal goalkeeper Chris Williams (Chicago, Ill.) busy, pelting the senior with 11 shots.

“On at least two of the four goals, (Williams) made the initial save,” Watkins said. “We just failed to clear. The rebound in soccer is not unlike basketball — it's second effort, and they had more effort than we did.”

The Gusties' Justin Egleseder started and finished the scoring, netting his first goal eight minutes into the opening half, then converting on a penalty kick in the 87th minute to complete the scoring — and his hat trick.

GAC scored twice in the first half, then put the game out of reach with three goals in a 21-minute span in the second half to seal the win.

The Cardinals were held to few offensive opportunities, as Juamaine Venter (Rochester, Minn.), Mark Thompson (Madison, Wis.), and Mac Stringer (Mendota Heights, Minn.) each had one shot.

“We've just got to keep looking forward,” said Watkins, whose team — which falls to 0-3-0 in the MIAC and 1-6-1 overall — makes the long trip to Moorhead, Minn., on Saturday for a 3 p.m. conference game against Concordia.