ST. PAUL, Minn. – The 2018 St. Catherine University Wildcat soccer season commenced in a tough 2-0 loss to the No. 1 seed in the semifinal game of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Women's Soccer Playoffs. The Wildcats overall record is the programs best win percentage at .706 at 11-4-2 overall and 7-2-2 in regular conference season.
Today's semifinal match-up was the second time the Wildcats faced the nationally ranked University of St. Thomas Tommies on their home turf this season only allowing them to three goals in the two games.

Today's two goal game was controlled in the first half by St. Kate's getting off four shots on their keeper in the first 45 minutes. After coming out of the half scoreless, the Tommies picked up their first goal in the 60^th minute. The Tommies second goal came with just 7 minutes remaining in the game. 

Junior goalie, Tayler Koop (Blaine, Minn.) played an incredible 90 minutes against the one seed with nine tough saves. The Tommies pressured Koop in the second half firing off 11 tough shots on her.
While the result of today's game was not in the Wildcats' favor, head coach Jesse Campos noted he is grateful of the 2018 campaign. The team finished with the best overall record in program history, earned a United Soccer Coaches regional ranking (No. 10) for the first time since October 18, 2016, and finished the conference season with the best record in program history in fourth.

This senior class will graduate the most decorated senior class on record playing in a combined 339 games. This group has scored a total of 42 goals, 30 assists and 14 game-winners. These five are the first graduating class to appear in the MIAC conference playoffs each season and were all part of the first-ever MIAC Playoff Championship in program history and NCAA postseason berth.
 
With eleven newcomers on the roster this season, the upperclassman adapted quickly to fitting in their new teammates. The first-years were equally as quick to understand where their strengths could help the team's success. The returners were dealt some unfortunate cards with three out for the entire season, and junior Julia Rupp coming back from injury with five games remaining on the season. 
 
At the top of the leader board at the end of the season was sophomore transfer Lauren Witte (Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville North) with an impressive debut for the Wildcats with nine goals. Behind her at six goals was senior midfielder Kaitlin Machovec (Woodbury, Minn. / North), five of which were game-winners. Machovec also had one assist in her senior season.

Junior forward, Allie Bird (Maple Grove, Minn.) was clutch in several tough moments this season picking up five goals and six assists. First-year forward Sofia Campbell (St. Paul, Minn. / Nova Classical Academy) led the team in her collegiate debut season with seven assists while also sitting in fourth for goals with four.

Senior defense Iryna Talkachova (Minsk, Belarus / Shattuck of St. Mary's) wrapped up her final collegiate season with three goals and three assists as she appeared in 17 games averaging 1.65 shots per game. Talkachova finishes her four-year career with 11 goals and 9 assists.

Junior transfer from Northwestern-St. Paul, Dana Lehtinen increased playing time near the middle of the season adding three goals and two assists in her first year at St. Kate's. Fellow newcomer, first-year Taylor Johnson (Cottage Grove, Minn. / Park) played 1407 minutes adding two goals and four assists.

Machovec finishes her four years leading the senior class with 18 goals, 11 assists and earned MIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention in her sophomore and junior seasons. The midfielder also was named to the United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-Region in her junior season. Award voting for this season has yet to conclude.