NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College women's soccer team ground out a 2-1 home victory over Augsburg University, with all three goals coming in a 10-minute span.
With the triumph, the Knights (9-1-1, 5-0-1 MIAC) moved into the top spot in the conference standings with 16 points, one more than second-place St. Catherine's.
Carleton named a changed starting 11 against the Auggies (7-2-2, 2-2-2 MIAC) due to a set of lineup absences and finished the first frame with a 6-0 advantage in shots. The best scoring chance came in the 35th minute as
Cate Patterson's attempt from the right wing required Augsburg goalkeeper Iz Schuster to punch the ball over the crossbar. That was the lone shot on goal of the period.
The contest was starting to appear destined for a scoreless finish, until in the 72nd minute,
Dylan Baker won the ball with a strong tackle near the halfway line, and fed
Kathryn Kresse down the fight side. Kresse knocked the ball by an Augsburg defender and lofted a cross to the back post where a wide-open
Claire Burbery calmly nodded the ball into the net, netting her third goal of the season.
Augsburg found the equalizer less than three minutes later as Augsburg forward Jayla Ponce picked up the ball in the Carleton defensive third and took it herself into the box, finding just enough space there for a try. Ponce picked out the top corner with her left-footed shot, and tied the game 1-1.
Only five more minutes elapsed before the scoring flurry continued. Patterson swung in a corner kick which Shuster knocked away towards the top of the 18-yard box.
Saheli Patel ran in, looking for a follow up shot, which was blocked by an Augsburg defender's arm, drawing a whistle from the referee, who pointed to the spot for a penalty.
Piper Dean stepped up to take the spot-kick, the first penalty the Knights have earned this year. The junior slammed the ball home, giving Carleton the 2-1 advantage with her second goal in as many games and fourth of the season.
Carleton closed out the final 10 minutes, but not without some nervous moments, as McKenna Nachreiner of the Auggies had two good opportunities in the waning moments, but both tries went wide.
Carleton finished the contest with a 16-4 edge in shots and a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Knights took 10 of the 12 corner kicks in the game.
Up Next for the Knights
The top two teams in the MIAC will match up on Saturday, Oct. 7 as St. Catherine's visits Carleton for a 1:00 p.m. Homecoming weekend contest.
