ST. PAUL - In a repeat matchup of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) 2017 Women's Soccer Playoff Championship game, the St. Catherine University Wildcat soccer team took down the Gusties from Gustavus Adolphus College 2-1 Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats advance their overall record to 8-3-2 and 5-2-2 in the MIAC. 

The Wildcats overpowered the Gusties in the first half with 14 shots to their 6. Picking up her third goal of the season, junior defender Dana Lehitinen (Maple Grove, Minn. / Northwestern-St. Paul) found the back of the net off of a corner kick from first-year Taylor Johnson (Cottage Grove, Minn. / Park) in the 10th minute of play. The Wildcats continued to pressure the Gusties firing multiple shots on their keeper before senior midfielder Kaitlin Machovec (Woodbury, Minn. / North) scored her fourth of the season from junior midfielder Alyssa Siljendahl (Duluth, Minn. / Hermantown). Each of Machovec's goals this season, including today, have been game-winning goals for the senior. 

St. Kate's second goal put a little fire in the Gusties as they were able to pick up their lone goal of the game in the 21st minute and finish the first 45 minutes 2-1 Wildcats. 

The second half was a defensive battle on both sides of the field with the Gusties outshooting St. Kate's 5 to 3 and neither team able to score on numerous opportunities. 

With today's win, the Wildcats qualify for the MIAC playoffs for the fourth season in a row and will learn their seeding fate at the conclusion of the regular season as they have two games remaining. St. Kate's is home again Wednesday, October 24 at 3:30 pm when they take on St. Olaf College and again one week from today closing out the regular season against Hamline University at 1 pm.