*Story has been updated to reflect latest MIAC postseason information. 

The St. Catherine University soccer team has had a solid season and heading into this week's final two contests still had a chance at qualifying for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) playoffs. But facing league-leading No. 25 College of Saint Benedict made the road a little more difficult for the Wildcats as they fell to the Blazers in a hard-fought contest 1-0 Wednesday afternoon in Collegeville, Minn. 

"I'm very proud of how we played," said Head Coach Chris Citowicki. "We missed some big chances in the first half. Credit to Saint Benedict because they took advantage of their in the second. With one game left, we need to make it count for our seniors. It would be great to get five wins for the season in the MIAC." 

In the opening 24 minutes of the first half, Ellen Kokes (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) was hot for the Wildcats taking three shots including one that narrowly missed when it hit the cross bar. The Wildcats forced Blazer goalkeeper Heather Kaluzniak to make three saves in the opening half and held the nationally-ranked offense to no shots to take a 0-0 tie into the half. 

However, the Blazers came to life in the second half with three quick shots in the opening five minutes including an opportunity that hit the crossbar. Then at the 61:34 mark, the Blazers broke the scoreless tie when Grace Vaughn beat Wildcat goalkeeper Danielle Mendez (Bloomington, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) to take a 1-0 lead they would never surrender. 

Mendez finished the game with four saves in goal, while Kokes led the squad with four shots. Alex Boucher (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater) led the team with two shots on goal. Hannah Okerstrom (Bayport, Minn./Stillwater) and Sarah Anderson (Marshalltown, Iowa/Shattuck-St. Mary's) each added a shot on goal in the team's offensive effort. 

With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 7-8-1 on the season and 4-6 in the MIAC with 12 points. With a win Saturday over Bethel University and losses or ties for both Macalester College and St. Olaf College, the Wildcats can clinch the final MIAC postseason berth. 

The Wildcats conclude the regular season at home Saturday afternoon against Bethel in a must-win contest. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. 

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