NORTHFIELD, Minn. – For the sixth time in program history, the St. Catherine University soccer team is back on top of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). The second-seeded Wildcats captured the 2026 MIAC Women's Soccer Playoff Championship on Saturday afternoon, defeating top-seeded Carleton College 6-5 in a dramatic seven-round penalty kick shootout after battling to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes at Bell Field.
The victory marks St. Catherine's sixth MIAC playoff championship since 2017 and its first since 2024, extending the Wildcats' conference record for the most women's soccer playoff titles. Saturday also marked the fourth championship meeting between St. Catherine and Carleton in the last five seasons, with the Wildcats once again coming out on top against the Knights.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, St. Catherine found its breakthrough in the 70th minute. First-year Natalie Barnes capitalized on a turnover inside the Carleton penalty area, collecting the loose ball and sending a shot into the right corner of the net at 69:09. The unassisted goal was Barnes' third of the season and gave the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage.
Carleton answered less than three minutes later when Lauren Caldwell collected a pass from Lola Feurer and finished into the upper left corner at 71:59, leveling the championship match at 1-1.
Neither side could find the deciding goal over the final 18 minutes of regulation, sending the contest into overtime. Carleton continued to pressure the Wildcats, but goalkeeper Brianna Valdez stood tall, recording two saves in the first overtime period to keep St. Catherine alive. After 20 additional minutes without a goal, the conference championship would be decided from the penalty spot.
The Wildcats opened the shootout with four consecutive successful attempts as Emily Olson, Ceci Emery, Bella Meier and Emma Boys each converted. Carleton matched St. Catherine through the first three rounds before missing its fourth attempt, giving the Wildcats an opportunity to claim the title in the fifth round. However, Carleton goalkeeper Avery Trapp turned away Jaidyn Richter's attempt before converting a penalty of her own to extend the shootout.
Barnes stepped up in the sixth round and converted her attempt, but Carleton's Disha Roy responded to keep the teams even at 5-5. In the seventh round, Lydia Benson delivered the decisive penalty for St. Catherine, giving the Wildcats a 6-5 advantage. Valdez then denied Isabelle Connolly's attempt, securing the championship and sending the Wildcats into celebration.
Valdez finished the afternoon with five saves over 110 minutes and stopped two Carleton attempts during the shootout. The Wildcats' defense held firm despite the Knights holding an 18-10 advantage in shots and a 9-4 edge in corner kicks. St. Catherine recorded four shots on goal, with Meier leading the offensive effort with three total attempts. Benson and Richter each added two shots, while Barnes, Ali Owens and Ari Douvier also contributed offensively.
Saturday's championship adds another chapter to one of the most successful eras in MIAC women's soccer history. St. Catherine has now claimed conference playoff championships in 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2026, winning five of the last six MIAC postseason tournaments. The Wildcats have also appeared in six consecutive MIAC playoff championship games, continuing their dominance in conference postseason play.
The victory also serves as redemption for St. Catherine after falling to Carleton 1-0 in last season's championship match. With Saturday's result, the Wildcats have now defeated the Knights in three MIAC championship meetings since 2022, further cementing one of the conference's premier postseason rivalries.
With the championship secured, St. Catherine earns the MIAC's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. The appearance will be the seventh in program history and sixth consecutive for the Wildcats.
St. Catherine will learn its NCAA Tournament opponent and destination during the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Selection Show on Monday, November 9, at 10:30 a.m. CT. The opening rounds of the national tournament are scheduled for November 14-15.
