Box Score
After starting out 2-0 to begin the 2012 season, the young St. Catherine University soccer team had a lot to prove Wednesday evening against a Central College team that made an appearance in the 2011 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) playoffs last year.
The Wildcats proved that their winning-ways were here to stay, as they picked up their third-straight victory with a huge 2-1, come-from-behind, road win to start the season 3-0 – a first in the program's history.
After collecting three assists in her first two games of her collegiate career, first-year forward
Elly Leyva (San Jacinto, Calif.) managed to find the back of the net off a pass from
Jennifer Goetz (Minneapolis, Minn.) to score the game-winning goal less than two minutes into the second half against Central.
“I feel very proud that I was able to help the team with a winning goal and couldn't have done it without them,” said Leyva, who is now third on the team in points (5) this season.
“As a team we never gave up and we will continue to fight through,” she said.
Early in the game, the Wildcats looked as if the long road trip may have slowed them down as Central scored just 11 minutes into the game. However, junior
Lensa Gurmessa (Minneapolis, Minn.) notched her sixth point of the season by setting up senior captain Leisl Wolf (Minnetonka, Minn.) for her first goal of the season just three minutes later to even the score at one a piece.
“Our play was sloppy at times but bouncing back from being down 1-0 to win 2-1 takes a lot of courage and team spirit,” said Head Coach
Chris Citowicki after the win.
Though Leyva's goal sealed the deal for the Wildcats early in the second half, the Dutch continued to threaten throughout the remainder of the game. First-year goalkeeper
Danielle Mendez (Bloomington, Minn.) made several critical stops throughout the remainder of the game to preserve the team's lead. Mendez finished the day with four saves.
In addition to the stellar play from Mendez in net, the team also made two crucial stops on Central free kicks just outside the goal. Citowicki credits the win to the hardwork and attitude of his team and looks to continue improving as the season picks up.
“Once again, our winning attitude came through and we got what we deserved,” said Citowicki. “(Looking forward), Carleton is six days away and we still have some loose ends to tie up, but I couldn't be happier with where we are at right now.”
The Wildcats open conference play against Carleton College on Wednesday, Sept. 12 in Northfield, Minn. Carleton finished second in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) last season and will be a tough first conference opponent for the Wildcats in 2012.
St. Kate's will get one last chance to prepare for MIAC play as they return to action at home against the Wartburg College Knights, who were recently ranked seventh in the Division III North region, on Friday, Sept. 7, at 5 p.m.
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