ST. PAUL, Minn. - The now 2-0, 0-0 MIAC, Wildcat soccer team could not have scripted a better day or win to open their home season. With classes starting for St. Kate's students on Wednesday, the back to school buzz could be felt on campus, especially for the home opener soccer game. With a sideline full of fans, many sporting bright orange t-shirts reading "FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE, NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE", the Wildcats defeated the Cougars from University of Minnesota Morris 9-0. Sophomore forward Lauren Witte (Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville North) had a great start in her home debut as a Wildcat scoring four of the teams nine goals plus the game winner. 

It was an early start with Witte starting off the streak of nine unanswered goals for the Wildcats assisted by senior midfielder Kaitlin Machovec (Woodbury, Minn. / North). Shortly after senior forward Brittany Kollman (Fergus Falls, Minn. / Kennedy Secondary) found the back of the net on an assist from junior forward Allie Bird (Maple Grove, Minn.) to give the Wildcats an early 2 goal lead. Witte stuck again near the 12 minute of play from Bird with the Wildcats up 3-0. Senior midfielder Molly Hayes (South St. Paul, Minn.) was the next from St. Kate's to add one, Hayes goal came from a quick left side pass from first-year forward Amora Valencia (Hemet, Calif. / Nuview Bridge Early College). Now leading the Cougars 4-0 with just under 15 minutes to play in the first half, first-year Sofia Campbell (St. Paul, Minn. / Nova Classical Academy) gave the Wildcats their fifth goal of the half. Six minutes following junior defense Marissa Janssen (Oakdale, Minn. / North) scored the final goal of the half from first-year Taylor Johnson (Cottage Grove, Minn. / Park) to end the half 6-0 Wildcats. 

Opening the second was Witte again for her third of the game and the teams seventh. Witte scored on a goal from sophomore Johanna Bergh (Minneapolis, Minn. / DeLaSalle). After what felt like a quiet 14 minutes, junior midfielder Dana Lehitnen (Maple Grove, Minn.) scored off T. Johnson's corner kick for the 8-0 lead. To finish out the game and under 6 minutes to play, it was Witte again for her fourth goal assisted again by Bird. 

Witte led the team with 4 goals, 7 shots and 6 shots on goal. Kollman had 1 goal, 3 shots and 2 shots on goal; and Bird added 2 shots, 2 shots on goal and 3 assists to the Wildcats victory over the Cougars. 

The Wildcats open the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) season at home on Tuesday at 4 p.m. against Augsburg University (1-2, 0-0 MIAC).