After controlling play for most of the second half against the University of Wisconsin-Stout Tuesday but coming up short on the scoreboard, the St. Catherine University soccer team hoped it could continue its dominant play and produce results against the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The Wildcats managed to get on the board first, but couldn't hold off the Falcons before settling for a 1-1 tie Saturday afternoon at St. Kate's. 

The game opened in the first half in favor of the Wildcats as they controlled play outshooting the Falcons 8-3 with three shots making it on goal but were turned away by keeper Erica Cimochowski. 

In the second half, though, the Wildcats made the most of their chances and finally converted when Hannah Okerstrom (Bayport, Minn./Stillwater) floated a ball past Cimochowski in front of the goal on a set up from Kelly Molitor (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South) at 52:58 to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. 

Following the Wildcat goal, the Falcons picked up their play and managed to test Danielle Mendez (Bloomington, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) who made two saves in the second half. Just as the Wildcats looked as they might pull off a win, Missy Barnett blasted a shot from 45 yards out that floated into the top left corner to beat Mendez and even the score at 1-1 in the 85th minute. 

Neither team could break the tie in regulation, so two overtime periods ensued with the WIldcats outshooting their opponent 4-2 in the 20 additional minutes. Cimochowski came up with two additional saves for a game total of seven to help the Falcons force a tie – the first of the season for both squads. 

Mendez ended with three saves in goal for the Wildcats, while Okerstrom extended her team lead in points to seven. Molitor now has three points on the season which is fourth on the team. Okerstrom had two shots on goal for the Wildcats, as did Elly Leyva (San Jacinto, Calif./San Jacinto), Hannah Brown (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South) and Iryna Talkachova (Shoreview, Minn./Shattuck-St. Mary's). 

The Wildcat soccer team also sponsored its first-annual ALS game raising $450. Their proceeds will go to benefit the Walk to Defeat ALS in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The game was played in honor of the late Chuck Novak – father of senior Carly Novak (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) – who passed away in 2008 after a year-long battle with ALS. 

With the tie, the Wildcats move to 2-1-1 on the season. They are set to begin Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play Tuesday against Carleton College at 4 p.m. in Northfield, Minnesota. 

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