ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The St. Catherine Univeristy soccer team collected their first loss of the season after a 2-0 decision against the No. 4 ranked Emory University Eagles. The loss puts St. Kate's at 4-1 on the season. 

St. Catherine and Emory opened the match trading early opportunities, with both teams pressing forward but unable to find the back of the net. The Wildcats generated a pair of shots from Lydia Benson and Bella Meier in the opening 15 minutes, but neither tested Emory's keeper.

Emory began to settle into possession midway through the half, forcing Brianna Valdez into action. Valdez came up big with multiple saves, including back-to-back stops.  At the other end, Meier remained dangerous, recording three more attempts, two of which Emory denied to keep the match scoreless.

The deadlock broke in the 41st minute when Emory capitalized, finishing for the game's first goal and giving the Eagles a 1–0 lead. Valdez continued her strong play with another save just before halftime, but the Wildcats went into the break trailing by one.

Emory wasted little time after the break, pressing forward with an early shot that Valdez turned away in the 48th minute. Just minutes later, the Eagles doubled their lead when Emily Woodall finished a chance in the 53rd minute, making it 2–0.

On the other side, the Wildcats created opportunities of their own. Benson forced a save from Emory's keeper in the 59th minute, while Ali Owens nearly cut the deficit with a chance in the 76th minute that went just wide. Despite their persistence, St. Catherine couldn't break through.

Valdez made eleven saves in 90 minutes allowing just two goals. 

St. Kate's is on an eleven day break from competition returning to St. Kate's field on Wednesday, September 17 hosting Macalester at 4:30 pm for the team's conference opener.