Box Score After going 2-2 to open the 2013 season, the young St. Catherine University soccer team eagerly awaited the start of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) season. But the Wildcats' first test wasn't going to be an easy one as they played host to the defending conference champion and perennial powerhouse Concordia College.
 
Despite playing close with the Cobbers through the first half, the Wildcats couldn't shut down their opponent's persistent offensive attack in suffering a tough 1-0 loss to open MIAC play at home Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Cobber offense pushed an aggressive attack as they compiled 32 total shots and held an advantage over the Wildcats in corner kicks with eight.
 
In the first half, the Wildcats shut down the Cobbers thanks to the strong play of goalkeeper Danielle Mendez (Bloomington, Minn.) who compiled a career-high 15 saves in the loss.
 
But the Cobbers managed to find a way to beat the sophomore goalkeeper at the 54-minute mark when Annie Marhula served a ball that was tipped off a defender and Marta Prosinski kicked the ball into the far right corner to score the game's only goal.
 
Offensively, the Wildcats were led by junior forward Nina Bukowski (Two Harbors, Minn.) whose two shots made it on goal to Cobber goalkeeper Elizabeth Bitzan. Elly Leyva (San Jacinto, Calif.), Ellen Kokes (Bloomington, Minn.) and Hannah Okerstrom (Bayport, Minn.) each recorded a shot on goal.
 
With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 2-3 on the season and are 0-1 to start MIAC play. The Wildcats return to non-conference competition Saturday as they play host to the University of Dubuque at 4 p.m.

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