MONMOUTH, Ore. – An 85th minute Stanislaus goals smothers an otherwise good day for Saint Martin's.
 
The Saint's men's soccer team started brightly in their penultimate Division II non-conference match against Stanislaus State on a wind and sun swept day in a neutral site contest in Monmouth.  Head Coach Rob Walker said, "we had the best start to any of our games so far this season. If we look at 'expected' goals' in the first 20 minutes we were looking at least 4 great scoring situations.  As much as we put ourselves in solid spaces, not scoring can come back to bite a team."
 
The remainder of the second  part of the first half, the Warriors put the game in balance with nine shots to the Saints eight. Saint's goalkeeper, Nick Mueller had his first start of the season and had three saves in the first half and four in the second period. "We started Nick after a good week of training and he made a couple old 'goal saving' saves" said Coach Walker.  Sophomore Sean Selanikio also had a goal line clearance also contributed to 0-0 halftime score line. 
 
In the 2nd half, the game was evenly played with each team earning six shots each, the Saint created two great chances off of David Settle's mid 2nd half effort and Arjun Gil found himself open in a great central area of the penalty area, but his firm shot found Warrior Goalkeeper, Alex Renderos' hands. Shortly after this play, Stanislaus intercepted an errant Saints pass and broke for goal and hit the game winner around the onrushing Mueller.
 
Walker summed up the game this way, "with the chances we had and the effort we gave, we might drive home a little disappointed and certainly, frustration could seep into your team fabric.  But, as sure as the wind blew down the Gorge today, we will blow back on Sunday against a good California State University Dominguez Hills."
 
The Saints look forward to their next match against California State University Dominguez Hills on September 11 at 1:30 p.m.