WINONA, Minn. — It's a simple approach—keep your opponent off the scoreboard, and you can't lose.
Tuesday evening, both the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's soccer team executed that approach to perfection in its Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference showdown against Gustavus.
And so did the Gusties.
The Cardinals and Gusties both relied on their smothering defense—and stellar play from their goalkeepers—in battling to a 0-0, double-overtime tie at Ochrymowycz Field.
Saint Mary's had the best scoring opportunity in the game's opening 45 minutes, as
Becca Dup (Albert Lea, Minn.) broke free and rifled a high shot that beat GAC goalkeeper Ashley Becker, but clanked off the crossbar to keep the game scoreless heading into the break.
Nineteen minutes into the second half, it was the Gusties turn to come close, as Emily Skogseth's shot from 18 yards out hit the right post and sailed out of play.
Dup had one more golden opportunity in the 74
th minute, breaking in alone on Becker, only to have the Gustie keeper make a diving save to her right to thwart the Cardinal junior—and keep the game deadlocked.
Boleneus finished with three saves—all in the first half—en route to her second collegiate shutout, while Becker stopped all five Cardinal shots she faced in goal for the Gusties.
Saint Mary's (0-6-1 MIAC, 5-7-1 overall) are back in conference play on Saturday, traveling to St. Paul, Minn., for a 3:30 p.m. matchup against Hamline.
