Box Score After picking up an overtime victory of Saint Mary's University on Saturday, the Wildcats hoped to extend their winning streak to three as they played host to Gustavus Adolphus College in a critical Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) matchup. Unfortunately, the Gusties managed to capitalize on a late-game opportunity to hand the Wildcats a tough 2-1 loss on a rainy Tuesday afternoon in St. Paul.
 
"We need to learn to put our chances away," said Head Coach Chris Citowicki. "We hit the post. We hit the crossbar. We hit the keeper. In the end, one goal was not enough."
 
Despite taking 14 shots in the game, just five made it to the net for the Wildcats and goalie Roisin Granlund managed to pick up a win in her first appearance in goal for the Gusties.
 
The Wildcats went down early as Ana Gleason buried a rebound off another blocked shot to give the Gusties a 1-0 just under 10 minutes into the first half. Ten minutes later, the Wildcats appeared they would tie the game, but an Elly Leyva (San Jacinto, Calif.) hit the post to allow the Gusties to take a 1-0 lead into the break.
 
To open the second half, the Wildcats came out and took control of the game. Then, Nina Bukowski (Two Harbors, Minn.) came up with the equalizer when she headed in a pass from Julia Zyla (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) to even the score at 1-1 in the 58th minute.
 
Bukowski then appeared she would have her second header goal of the game less than six minutes later when she hit the crossbar. Play continued back-and-forth between the two teams until the Gusties pulled away for good with 3:44 remaining on a goal from Maddison Ackiss.
 
The Wildcats were unable to find another set of late game heroics and fall to 2-4 in MIAC play and 7-6 overall. "Overall, I'm pleased with our second half effort," said Citowicki, "but wish we had finished the game off when we had the chances to. Credit to Gustavus for their goals and how they played."
 
With the Wildcats only goal, Bukowski moves to first on the team in goals (7) and ties Lensa Gurmessa (Minneapolis, Minn.) in points with 16. This was also Bukowski's third-straight game recording a goal. Zyla's assist on the goal was her fourth of the season which is tied with Gurmessa for the most on the team.
 
The Wildcats return to MIAC action Saturday as they travel to St. Olaf College. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Northfield.
 
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