University of West Alabama

This week, the St. Catherine University soccer team reached two milestones setting program records for overall wins in a season (10-5-1) and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) wins (5-4-0) with two victories. The Wildcats' success couldn't have come without clutch performances of the MIAC's top statistical player in Hannah Okerstrom (Bayport, Minn./Stillwater). For her efforts, she has been named the Wildcat Athlete of the Week. 

Wednesday, the Wildcats upset their second nationally-ranked opponent this season in shutting out No. 24 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 2-0 at home. Carrying a 1-0 lead for the entire second half, the Wildcats looked as if they would head to victory. Okerstrom, however, made sure of it as she added an insurance goal with one minute remaining in the game. 

Then, Saturday, the Wildcats defeated MIAC-leading Gustavus Adolphus College on the road with a 2-1 decision thanks mostly to Okerstrom. The junior forward put the Wildcats up 1-0 with less than three minutes remaining in the first half and added her second of the game – and eventual game-winner – in the 63rd minute to help the Wildcats set their new school records for wins. 

This season, Okerstrom leads the MIAC in overall goals (11) and goals in MIAC games only (8). Her 24 points are the most in a single season by a Wildcats since 2002 – Mindy Daugherty tallied 26 points. Okerstrom is second in overall points but leads the MIAC with 15 points for conference games only. She also has three game-winners which ranks second in the MIAC this season. 

Okerstrom and the remainder of the Wildcats are very much alive in the MIAC playoff hunt as they sit in a four-team tie for fifth with 15 points. They will look to clinch a spot this week as they face Saint Mary's University Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in Winona, Minnesota, before returning home to conclude the regular season Saturday against Concordia College at 1 p.m.