FARGO, N.D. — Saint Mary's threw everything they had at the North Dakota State (1-0) in their season opener Friday night but couldn't overcome an early Bison goal in a 1-0 loss. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gaels (0-1) outshot NDSU 20-9 in the game but couldn't get a clean ball in the back of their opponent's net. Kaytlin Brinkman led the offensive charge with four shot attempts while Kyllie Glock and Sophie Santos each chipped in three shots as well. Saint Mary's forced the Bison goalkeeper Monica Polgar to make eight saves to earn the clean sheet. 

SMC did manage to get a couple of shots across the NDSU goal line in the first half but both attempts were negated due to offsides calls. 

Mariah Haberle ended up with the game-winning goal as her 13th minute tally stood as the difference maker in the match. Her teammate Marian Taiwo had the lone assist on the goal. 

Four seniors played the entire 90 minutes for Saint Mary's as did goalie Maleah Milner who made two saves. 11 Gaels took a shot in the match and the team was called for just two total fouls. 

THOUGHTS FROM TRAVIS CLARKE

• "We played hard tonight. I thought we dominated most parts of the game except the scoreboard. NDSU is a good team and their forwards put us under a lot of pressure but we need to finish our chances because I know we feel that was a game we could've won."
• "Our goal now is to look at Sunday and prepare for that game."

UP NEXT: NORTH DAKOTA

• Saint Mary's will remain in the state of North Dakota as they take on the Fighting Hawks on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Links for the match can be found on the team's schedule page.