RIPON, Wisconsin – The Ripon men's soccer program played even with Saint Mary's (Minn.) for 85 minutes on Tuesday afternoon, but a late goal allowed the Cardinals to escape with a 1-0 win over the Red Hawks at Hopp Stadium.
 
The opening half was a defensive struggle for the first 30 minutes, though both offenses had chances on goal. With 12 minutes left in the half, Ripon (8-5) had four shots on goal in a row – two by Finley Manning and one apiece by Thomas Geocaris and Gustavo Herrera – but goalkeeper Daniel Sessler stopped all four for Saint Mary's (6-5-1) to keep the game scoreless heading into half.
 
The second stanza was all about offense – shots were 13-6 in favor of Saint Mary's. Seth Schroeder had a header in the 85th minute that was snuffed out by SMU, and the Cardinals came back the other way quickly. Cohan Hare found the back of the net past the outstretched arms of Ripon goalkeeper Christian Hernandez for the game-winning goal, his seventh score of the season.
 
Overall, SMU had a 20-16 advantage in total shots, and an 11-9 edge in shots on goal. Manning led Ripon with four total shots, while Herrera and Ivan Barrientos each recorded three. Andre Robertson chipped in two to help Ripon's cause offensively.
 
There were 24 total fouls, six yellow cards and 12 corner kicks between the teams.
 
UP NEXT: Ripon closes its three-match homestand on Saturday (October 12) as the Red Hawks welcome in Beloit for an 11 a.m. match at Hopp Stadium.
 
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