The St. Catherine University soccer team finally picked up its first Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in dramatic fsahion Saturday with a 2-1 overtime decision over Hamline University. And after that win, the Wildcats hoped to keep that momentum going against a Carleton College squad the Wildcats have upset for the last two seasons and has yet to suffer a MIAC loss this season. Unfortunately, the Wildcat win streak ended at two with a tough 1-0 loss to the Knights on a rainy Wednesday afternoon in Northfield, Minnesota. 

The Wildcats played the Knights to a scoreless tie through the opening 45 minutes thanks to several big saves from Danielle Mendez (Bloomington, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels). Not only was the first half scoreless, but the teams were even with two shots a piece and one save per side. 

But that's as far as the similarities went as Carleton came out strong in the second half scoring just 27 seconds in on a goal from Ellie Wilson to give the Knights a 1-0 lead they wouldn't surrender. The Wildcats poured on the offense in the second half with three more shots, but couldn't find a way to get them toward Knight goalkeeper Mikayla Columbe who picked up one save to help her squad to their third conference win of the year. 

Mendez picked up four saves in goal for the Wildcats, while Ellen Kokes (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) led the team with two shots. Anna Pederson (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater) recorded her first shot on goal as a Wildcat – the only Wildcat to do so against the Knights. Kelly Molitor (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South) and Elly Leyva (San Jacinto, Calif./San Jacinto) also recorded shots in the game. 

With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 3-5-1 on the season and 1-3-0 in the MIAC. They return to action at home Saturday against Augsburg College for a 1 p.m. MIAC matchup in St. Paul. 

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