MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Men's Soccer battled against the 2021 Mid-America Conference Champions on Sunday afternoon, but the visiting Northern Illinois Huskies held on for the 2-1 win over the Gaels to put SMC at 1-1 this season.
 
The Gaels fell behind 1-0 in the 11th minute and 2-0 in the 40th minute, before clawing back to within one and having shots clang off the woodwork.
 
But SMC struck back quickly in the second half, getting on the board in the 47th minute. Christian Engmann drove a ball up field to Riley Lynch, who blew past defenders before turning the corner towards the box.
 
Lynch fed a ball across to the opposite post where Felix Calero was waiting and headed it perfectly into the back of the net for his first collegiate goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
 
Wade Muttitt had a shot go off the lower-left post from the edge of the box, and Bordanne Ngongfor had a big blast from 30 yards out go off the cross bar from a straight on set piece, both with around 20 minutes left to play.
 
It was set pieces that were again troublesome for the Gaels, whether it be from the initial kick or the remaining-in-the zone aftermath. SMC really only made those two mistakes, but a team that won 15 games last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, made them pay for a pair of defensive lapses.
 
Offensively the Gaels had runs and counter attacks in the second half that created opportunities, but had passes that were potentially attempted too soon while perhaps waiting a beat too long to fire off a shot.
 
UP NEXT:
The Gaels will host Sacramento State on Thursday, September 1 at 4:00 p.m. in Saint Mary's Stadium