The St. Catherine Unviersity soccer team had a huge week with a non-conference win and a solid 2-0 win over Saint Mary's University to bump the team up to seventh in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) standings. Using that momentum to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Wildcats were able to extend their win streak to three-consecutive games thanks to a clutch overtime goal from Kailee Katt (Esko, Minn./Esko) to hand Gustavus Adolphus College a 1-0 setback Tuesday afternoon in St. Peter, Minnesota. 

As they have done all season, the Wildcats poured on the pressure early taking six shots in the first half toward Gusite goalkeeper Caroline Olsen. Nina Bukowski (Two Harbors, Minn./Two Harbors) had a golden opportunity in the eighth minute when she hit the post, but unfortunately, the Wildcats came up scoreless in the first half.

The Wildcats managed to put the Gusties on their heels heading into the second half but had to settle for overtime for the fourth time this season. Fortunately, the Wildcats were able to come out on the winning end with just 1:17 left in the first set of extra minutes. First-year Katt tallied her first collegiate goal when she buried a free kick opportunity in the 99th minute to help the Wildcats improve to 6-6-1 on the season and 3-4 in the MIAC to securely remain in seventh in the standings. 

Danielle Mendez (Bloomington, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) was again solid in goal for the Wildcats with a two-save shutout effort. This was Mendez' second-consecutive shutout in a row and her third game without allowing a goal. She now has four shutouts on the season which is tied for fifth-most in the MIAC. 

Reigning MIAC Women's Soccer Athlete-of-the-Week Ellen Kokes (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) led the Wildcats offensively with five of its 16 total shots including two that made it to the hands of Gustie keeper Olson who recorded eight saves in goal. Bukowski was just behind Kokes with four shots, while Julia Zyla (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Trinity School at River Ridge) and Hannah Okerstrom (Bayport, Minn./Stillwater) continued to be offensive threats as they each had two shots. 

With the win Tuesday, the Wildcats surpass their conference win total from a year ago and are just one win away from equaling its four-win MIAC record in 2012 – the same year the Wildcats went 9-8 to tie the program record for wins in a season.The Wildcats return to action on their home turf Saturday. They're set to face St. Olaf College for a 1 p.m. matchup in St. Paul. 

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