St. Catherine University Athletics

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The St. Catherine University soccer team opened the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) season with a decisive win over the Macalester College Scots on Wednesday afternoon. The win improves the Wildcats overall record to 5-1 for a MIAC showing of 1-0. 
 

St. Catherine weathered heavy pressure early but broke through in the second half, powering past Macalester for a 4–1 victory.

Macalester controlled much of the opening 45 minutes, firing seven shots on goal. Each time, St. Kate's keeper Brianna Valdez stood tall, turning away every attempt to keep the match scoreless. The Wildcats generated a handful of looks themselves, with Lydia Benson and Emily Olson testing Macalester's goalie, but the half ended 0–0.

After nearly 70 minutes of deadlock, the match opened up. Macalester struck first in the 72nd minute, giving the Scots a 1–0 edge.

The Wildcats answered less than a minute later when Natalie Pfleger finished a setup from Bella Meier to even the score. Pfleger wasn't done, just four minutes later, she slotted home another, assisted by Olson and Meier, to put St. Kate's in front 2–1.

Momentum fully shifted at the 82nd minute when Ayah Makled buried a penalty kick to extend the lead. Less than two minutes later, Benson iced it with a goal of her own, stretching the advantage to 4–1.

Valdez finished with nine saves, keeping the purple and gold in the match until the offense found its rhythm.  

St. Kate's is home again on Saturday hosting Concordia College at 1 pm.