This week, the St. Catherine University soccer team went 1-1 and allowed just one goal in two games, thanks to the stellar play of goalkeeper Danielle Mendez (Bloomington, Minn.). The sophomore posted 23 saves in net for the Wildcats and has therefore been named the Wildcat Athlete of the Week.Â
The Wildcats began the week with a tough loss against the defending Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) champion Concordia College to open conference play Wednesday on a rainy afternoon. Despite the loss, Mendez allowed just one goal and recorded a career-high 15 saves against the Cobbers who were ranked No. 4 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) North Region Poll.Â
The Wildcats were then faced with another tough test Saturday as they squared off against an undefeated University of Dubuque team that was ranked No. 6 in the region. After the Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute, Mendez helped preserve the win with an eight-save effort to earn her first shutout of the season. Mendez now ranks fourth in the MIAC in saves (32).Â
The Wildcats and Mendez return to action Wednesday as they take on Simpson College at 5 p.m. in Indianola, Iowa, before returning to MIAC play Saturday at Hamline University at 1 p.m.Â
