Box Score
Coming off of two-straight conference losses, the St. Catherine University soccer team needed to find some confidence heading into October. The Wildcats got just what they needed as they picked up a huge 1-0 non-conference win over Crown College in overtime, Tuesday.
The win didn't come easy for the Wildcats though, as they took 33 shots and six corner kicks in regulation but came up empty-handed on each one. The Wildcats once again found themselves in a far-too-familiar situation as they headed into overtime for the third time this season.
“We played a good game, but Crown defended very well,” said
Chris Citowicki. “They worked hard and we had to give a little bit extra to find a winner.”
The little bit extra finally paid off as first-year
Allison Hawkins (Inver grove Heights, Minn.) took a corner kick for the Wildcats that sailed to
Lensa Gurmessa (Minneapolis, Minn.) who headed in the ball for her fourth goal of the season.
“It was a matter of time and I am very proud of how disciplined we were,” said Citowicki. “The team didn't let frustration set in and we got the goal we deserved.”
With the assist on Gurmessa's goal, Hawkins picks up the first point of her collegiate career. Gurmessa had four shots in the game, but made her only shot on goal count just 46 seconds into overtime. She is now third on the team in points (11).
Hawkins wasn't the only first-year player who had a game of firsts. In just her second appearance in 2012, goalkeeper
Kristina Schurhammer (Plainview, Minn.) recorded her first win and shutout as a Wildcat. She finished the day with two saves.
The Wildcat win was a true team effort as 14 different players recorded shots in the game.
Grace Lowry (Minneapolis, Minn.) led the offensive strike with five shots, two of which made their way to the net.
Nina Bukowski (Two Harbors, Minn.) recorded a game-high three shots on goal.
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 7-4 on the season. The team's seven wins are the most since the 2008 squad went 9-7-2.
With just six games left on the schedule, the Wildcats return to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) competition Saturday as they travel to St. Joseph, Minn., to take on Saint Benedict at 1 p.m.
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