ST. PAUL, Minn. — The St. Catherine University women's soccer team delivered a commanding offensive performance Tuesday afternoon, defeating St. Olaf College 5-1 at St. Kate's Field. The Wildcats scored four first-half goals to take control early and never looked back, handing the Oles their third loss of the season.
St. Catherine (9-3-1, 5-1-1 MIAC) wasted little time establishing its offensive presence, scoring twice in a span of just 81 seconds. Charlee King opened the scoring in the 11th minute off an assist from Bella Meier, giving the Wildcats an early 1-0 advantage. Just over a minute later, Emily Olson doubled the lead in the 13th minute, finishing a pass from Ceci Emery.
The Wildcats continued to apply pressure throughout the opening half, with Meier taking over offensively. She netted her first goal of the afternoon in the 30th minute off an assist from Lydia Benson, extending the lead to 3-0. Meier struck again in the 35th minute, connecting on a pass from Lillia Gray to complete her two-goal performance and send St. Catherine into halftime with a commanding 4-0 advantage.
St. Catherine maintained control in the second half, adding its fifth goal in the 72nd minute when Emery converted a penalty kick. St. Olaf (9-2-3, 5-2-0 MIAC) broke through in the 84th minute on a goal from Aida Engle, but the Wildcats' decisive first-half performance had already put the contest firmly out of reach.
Meier led the offensive charge with two goals and an assist for five points, while Emery contributed a goal and an assists for four points. King and Olson each added a goal, and Benson and Gray recorded an assist as five Wildcats contributed to the scoring.
St. Catherine finished with 15 shots, including 10 on goal, converting half of its shots on target into goals. The Wildcats' four first-half goals came on just nine shots, highlighting the efficiency of an attack that overwhelmed the St. Olaf defense.
Defensively, goalkeeper Brianna Valdez played all 90 minutes, recording four saves while limiting the Oles to one late goal.
The convincing victory improves St. Kate's to 5-1-1 in conference play with four MIAC match ups remaining on the schedule. The Wildcats travel to St. Peter on Saturday facing Gustavus Adolphus at 1 pm.
