Box Score After suffering a tough 1-0 loss to open conference play against Concordia College on Wednesday, the St. Catherine University soccer team hoped to get back on the winning track in non-conference play. But the Wildcats had their hands full as they faced an undefeated University of Dubuque team that was ranked No. 6 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) North regional poll and received votes in the national poll.
 
Fortunately for the Wildcats, they found a way to take an early second-half lead and hold on for a 1-0 shutout to hand the Spartans their first loss of the season Saturday afternoon in St. Paul.
 
The opening half was filled with back-and-forth play between the two teams as both posted five shots on goal but couldn't break the other to take a lead.
 
Despite being outshot and holding the disadvantage in corner kicks, the Wildcats made the most of their scoring opportunities in the second half when Elly Leyva (San Jacinto, Calif.) served a ball to Lensa Gurmessa (Minneapolis, Minn.) in front of the net and Nina Bukowski (Two Harbors, Minn.) put away the loose ball for her second goal of the season in the 59th minute.
 
The Wildcats managed to hold on through the rest of the contest thanks in large part to the strong play of sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Mendez (Bloomington, Minn.). She posted nine saves to earn her first shutout of the season.

Senior Kristi Thorwick (Maplewood, Minn.) led the Wildcats in shots on goal with three, while Bukowski and Carly Novak (St. Cloud, Minn.) each had two. 
 
With the win, the Wildcats pull back to .500 (3-3) on the season and continue non-conference play Wednesday as they head to Indianola, Iowa, for a 5 p.m. contest against Simpson College.
 
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