SHIFTING GEARS ­— Fairmont Area’s Theodor Myhre (29) dribbles past St. Peter’s Roblae Abdi (3) as Cardinal teammate Jack Sadusky (9) and the Saints’ Anthony Nicolai trail the Big South Conference soccer action Thursday night at Kot Soccer Complex in Fairmont. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — Tanner Nadeau knows when his St. Peter Saints boys soccer team plays the Fairmont Area Cardinals, the outcome will be close.

He was right as his Saints pulled off a 3-2 win over the Cardinals in a Big South clash on Thursday at Kot Soccer Complex.

The Cardinals won the first meeting with the Saints 5-4 to open the season.

“We want to keep building,” Nadeau said. “We know when we play Fairmont, it will be close. But they make us a better team. Fairmont has some fast players, but I think our team speed over the top was the difference.”

“We made too many little mistakes and they (St. Peter) took advantage of those on its goals,” Fairmont Area head coach Brady Meyer said. “We had our chances to score, but didn’t capitalize. We knew it would be a tough game. We have to get better and keep on working.”

Fairmont struck first when newcomer Theodor Myhre scored at the 34:14 mark of the first half off an assist from Gerson Revolorio.

St. Peter evened it 15 minutes later on Luke Gilbertson’s goal at the 19:48 mark via Mohamed Dekene’s assist.

Myhre scored his second goal at the 15:21 mark of the first half off an assist from Jack Sadusky.

St. Peter tied it at 2-all when Ramiro Alcantara Alvarez tallied an unassisted goal at the 13:31 mark.

The Saints scored what proved to be the winning goal at the 24:07 mark of the second half when Mohamed Jimale got to a loose ball in front of the Cardinals’ goal and fired it in.

The Saints had other chances, but the Cardinals’ Aaron Graplar was always there to put a stop to the scoring chances. His defense in each half was a key to the Cardinals staying close.

The Saints had a chance to double their lead at the 14:33 mark, but Abdirahman Osman’s penalty kick sailed high.

The Cardinals fired 26 shots toward St. Peter’s goal, with 15 on net. However, they couldn’t gain possession in the final minute to try to score the tying goal. St. Peter put 26 shots on Fairmont’s goal with nine finding the net.

The Cardinals (3-5-1) travel to New Ulm Tuesday to battle the Eagles at 7 p.m. in another conference game, while St. Peter (2-5) hosts Waseca at 6:45 p.m. Monday.

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Girls Soccer

St. Peter 2, Fairmont Area 1 — The Saints used Adeline Letts’ two unassisted goals to eke out a one-goal Big South Conference win over the Cardinals on Thursday night in St. Peter.

Abbie Simpson scored the Cardinals’ goal off an assist from Elayna Anderson.

Fairmont Area netminder Madilyn Stromberg had six saves.

The Cardinals (2-7) travel to Rochester to play Lourdes at 1 p.m. Saturday at RCTC Stadium.

St. Peter edged Fairmont Area 2-1 during junior varsity action Thursday.

Grace Kotewa scored the Cardinals’ goal, while Mary Bennett had 12 saves in goal and Addie Folkerts had 11 saves.