ST. PAUL, MINN. – The St. Catherine University soccer team got off to a rip-roaring start in 2016. The Wildcats went 3-0 to open the season for the first time since 2012 thanks to strong play on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Leading the way offensively for St. Kate’s was none other than senior forward Hannah Okerstrom (Bayport, Minn. / Stillwater) who recorded at least one point in all three Wildcat games. For her performances, Okerstrom has been named Wildcat Athlete of the Week.
St. Kate’s perfect weekend would not have been possible without Okerstrom, who tallied nine points and scored three goals in the first three games of the season. In a 5-1 victory over the University of Then, on Saturday, Okerstrom assisted on two of the Wildcats four goals in a 4-3 victory over Transylvania University.
Okerstrom’s big moment came in the 67th minute against the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Trailing 1-0 in the second half, St. Kate’s needed a quick goal to tie the Falcons and preserve their perfect season. However, for twenty minutes, the Wildcats were unable to get the ball past the Falcons goalkeeper. That is, until Okerstrom took matters into her own hands. The senior scored the game-tying goal at 67:59, which gave St. Kate’s the opportunity to win in the final seconds of regulation.
With her nine point weekend, Okerstrom is now fifth all-time at St. Kate’s in career points (50) and is fourth all-time in career goals. She leads the team in shots (24), points (9), goals (3), and assists (3) and is the top player in the MIAC in the same categories.
Okerstrom and her teammates will get four much deserved days of rest before playing the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse on Friday. Game time in 3 p.m. in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
