WINONA, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's soccer team was unable to overcome a slow start in a 5-2 loss at Saint Mary's Wednesday.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first half, scoring three times in the first 13 minutes to take control of the game.

The Knights battled in the second half, with Hailey Johnson putting MLC on the board with her eighth goal of the season in the 58th minute, but Abby Koelpin's goal in the 89th minute would be as close as they would come the rest of the way.

Johnson led MLC with four total shots, two of which were on goal, while Jenna Maurer added a pair of shots and an assist on Koelpin's goal.

Julia Barthels saved five fo the ten shots she faced in goal for MLC before coming out of the game late.

The Knights fell to 3-12-1 on the season in defeat, while SMU improved to 6-9 with the win.

MLC will return to action on Saturday, October 24, when it travels to St. Scholastica. That game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.