NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Undaunted by a sudden wind and rain storm late in the first half, the Carleton College women's soccer team defeated Hamline University, 1-0, on Wednesday afternoon. With the victory—provided by Casey MacVeagh's (Jr./Thetford, Vt./Thetford Academy) third game-winning goal of the season—the Knights clinched a spot in next month's MIAC Playoffs.
 
"I couldn't be prouder of this team today," said Carleton head coach Jessica Mueller. "Once again, we battled from start to finish and found a way to win. Hamline is very organized and so well coached. They are difficult to break down as they play with a lot of numbers behind the ball. While it took us a bit to settle in, we really picked it up in the second half, pressed hard and dug out a gritty goal. Love to see it."
 
The score line did not reflect the dominance Carleton (11-1-0, 7-0-0 MIAC) displayed in extending its win streak to nine games, tied for the second-longest stretch of success in program history (see chart below). The Knights finished with a whopping 37 shot attempts compared to only one shot by the Pipers (3-6-4, 1-5-1). Hamline goalkeeper Lauren Sicora registered eight saves to keep the score close throughout.
 
A few minutes before the first half ended, Bell Field was suddenly afflicted with extreme wind gusts and torrential rain.
 
The Knights capitalized off of the new, slick playing surface early in the second half as their lone goal was scored in the 52nd minute. Cate Patterson (Sr./Racine, Wis./Prairie School) dribbled around a few opposing defenders before crossing the ball, where MacVeagh poked home the finish for her eighth goal of the season, which is tied for second among MIAC players this year and tied for 12th in recorded team history.
 
As weather conditions normalized and the sun came out for stretches of the second half, Carleton continued to dominate possession and peppered Sicora with a total of 19 shots after intermission.
 
Now 7-0-0 in MIAC play for the first time, Carleton finds itself six points ahead of second place. The Knights' current 9-game win streak includes five shutouts and a 27-4 goal differential.
 
This will mark the Knights' eighth trip to the postseason (also 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2019).
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton heads to Macalester College for a 1:00 p.m. contest on Sunday, Oct. 16.
 
Longest win streaks in Carleton Women's Soccer history
11 games from Oct. 12-Nov. 21, 2008
9 games from Sept. 22-Nov. 3, 1984
9 games from Sept. 29-Oct. 25, 2007
9 games from Sept. 10-current
 
Carleton Women's Soccer Most Goals in a Single Season
1.   --   14 – Birungi Mutebi – 1998
2.   --   13 – Birungi Mutebi – 2001
2.   --   13 – Marlena Hartman-Filson – 2010
4.   --   12 – Niki Tomita – 2009
5.   --   10 – Sharon Goodwin – 1998
5.   --   10 – Nicky Bloom – 2008
5.   --   10 – Ava Lewis – 2014
5.   --   10 – Nora Mertz - 2017
9.   --   9 – Maurine Neiman – 1996
9.   --   9 – Rose Koch – 1997
9.   --   9 – Jean Freeman – 1999
12.   --   8 – Rose Koch – 1999
12.   --   8 – Birungi Mutebi – 2000
12.   --   8 – Cassie Burke – 2008
12.   --   8 – Niki Tomita – 2010
12.   --   8 – Ava Lewis – 2015
12.   --   8 – Casey MacVeagh – 2022
 
Carleton Women's Soccer Most Assists in a Single Season
1.   --   11 – Alicia Fischer – 1997
2.   --   7 – Mia Zutz – 2008
3.   --   6 – Teri Stella – 1988
3.   --   6 – Barb Rider – 1989
3.   --   6 – Rose Koch – 1999
3.   --   6 – Melley Turner – 2007
3.   --   6 – Lily VanderStaay – 2010
3.   --   6 – Emma Wasend – 2017
3.   --   6 – Casey MacVeagh - 2022
 
Carleton Women's Soccer Most Points in a Single Season
1.   --   30 – Birungi Mutebi (14g, 2a) – 1998
1.   --   30 – Birungi Mutebi (13g, 4a) – 2001
3.   --   29 – Marlena Hartman-Filson (13g, 3a) – 2010
4.   --   25 – Nicky Bloom (10g, 5a) – 2008
5.   --   24 – Niki Tomita (12g) – 2009
5.   --   24 – Ava Lewis (10g, 4a) – 2014
7.   --   22 – Rose Koch (8g, 6a) – 1999
7.   --   22 – Jean Freeman (9g, 4a) – 1999
7.   --   22 – Casey MacVeagh (6g, 6a) – 2022