The St. Catherine University soccer team has had one of it's best starts to a season in recent years, thanks in part to big plays from first-year player Elly Leyva (San Jacinto, Calif.). For her two game-winning goals last week, Leyva has been named the Wildcat Athlete of the Week.
The Wildcats opened Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play on Wednesday, Sept. 12, against then regionally-ranked Carleton College with a huge 1-0 upset win on the road. Leyva stepped up for the Wildcats as she split two defenders and beat the Carleton goalkeeper just inside the far post to seal the win for the Wildcats with just 13 minutes left in the game.
After the huge MIAC win, the WIldcats hit the road to take on a tough Dubuque team on Saturday. The team started out slow, but was able to force overtime play where Leyva took over again to life the Wildcats to another 1-0 victory. Her goal came off a pass from Lensa Gurmessa just three minutes into the first overtime period and was her third of the season.
Leyva now leads the Wildcats in points (9), is second in goals (3) and tied for first with Gurmessa in assists (3). She is also tied for fourth in the MIAC in points (9) with two other players. All three of Leyva's goals this season have been game-winners which leads the MIAC. She is also one of only two first-year players in the MIAC top10 points category and is one of three Wildcats in that same category.
