ARDEN HILLS, MINN. – The St. Catherine University soccer team has played its best soccer in its biggest games of the season. Although the Wildcats weren't in top form Tuesday night and plagued by injuries, the team came up with its biggest Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) win of the season 2-1 over previously undefeated Bethel University.

St. Kate's came into the game riding a two game win streak, but it paled in comparison to Bethel's start to the 2016 season. The Royals last loss was on September 1, when they lost to Augustana to open the season. After that, Bethel went on a 10-0-1 run to start the season and had not lost a game in MIAC play until they met the Wildcats.

While St. Kate's came out on top in the end, the Royals controlled the game for the majority of the first half. For the first time all season, the Wildcats were outshot in the first 45 minutes of play 6-8 and found themselves in a 1-0 hole after a costly foul inside their own territory.

"The first half was extremely frustrating," soccer assistant coach Tyler Seidel said after the game. "We didn't play to our potential, but credit to Bethel as they are the best team we've faced to this point this year."

After the Bethel goal, Shelby Fehringer (Andover, Minn. / Andover) and Tayler Koop (Blaine, Minn. / Blaine) did everything in their power to keep St. Kate's within striking distance. The two goalkeepers combined for seven saves in regulation, Ferhinger with five in the first half and Koop with two in the second, giving their team a chance to win or tie with just one goal.

As the Wildcat defense held the Royal offense at bay, the team's offense started to find its grove at the end of the first half but were unable to score an equalizer before halftime. Still, St. Kate's was able to weather the storm and came out strong at the start of the second half. The Wildcats started to create multiple offensive opportunities for their top shooters, but they were unable to get the ball past Bethel goalkeeper Dylan Melby. That all changed in the 67^th minute when the Wildcats patience and persistence finally paid off. Iryna Talkachova (Shoreview, Minn. / Shattuck-St. Mary's) took a shot from the left side of the field but Melby was there to make the save. However, the rebound bounced right into the waiting feet of Anna Pedersen (Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater), who booted the ball to the back right corner of the net, tying the score at one.

Neither team was able to score for the rest of the second half, though both threatened by pushing the ball deep into their opponent's zone. When regulation ended in a 1-1 tie, St. Kate's seemed unfazed by the prospect of overtime, as it was the team's fifth game to go into overtime this season.

The previous experiences payed off for the Wildcats, who generated multiple offensive opportunities in the extra 10 minutes of play. Four minutes into the extra period, Hannah Okerstrom (Bayport, Minn. / Stillwater) came through with another huge goal when St. Kate's needed her most. The senior took a cross from Julia Zyla (Inver Grove Heights, Minn. / Trinity) and put it in the back of the net, sealing the Wildcats 2-1 victory.

"In overtime, we were able to play our game and take advantage of our offensive opportunities," commented Seidel. "We won the second half and fought through adversity to come away with a win and three points."

With the win, St. Kate's improved to 9-2-1 overall and hold a 4-1-1 mark in MIAC play. It also moved into sole possession of third place in the conference standings with 13 points while Bethel fell to second place. However, the Wildcats week isn't over yet, as they face another undefeated conference opponent this weekend. On Saturday, St. Kate's will travel to the University of St. Thomas to take on the rival Tommies at 1 p.m.