NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Early goals by Lauren Caldwell and Casey MacVeagh led the Carleton College women's soccer team to a 2-1 Homecoming triumph over St. Catherine University.
 
"It was a great day to be a Knight," said Carleton head coach Jessica Mueller. "I'm really proud of our team's preparation, execution, and ability to continue to improve as the season rolls on. St. Kate's is a great team, and we knew it would be a battle."
 
Carleton (10-1-1, 6-0-1 MIAC) came into the game holding first place in the MIAC by a one-point margin over St. Catherine (10-3-0, 5-1-0 MIAC), setting the stage for a crucial rematch of the 2022 MIAC Playoffs Championship.
 
The Knights got off to a dream start when Zaraya Jordan swept a ball into the box from the right side. The ball took a deflection and fell just beyond the penalty spot, where Caldwell pounced on it and rolled a perfectly placed shot across her body into the side-netting for her second career goal.
 
The women in maize and blue did not wait long to double their advantage. Sam Gotch won the ball in the Knights half, and four of her teammates touched the ball before Kathryn Kresse received possession in center of the box with her back to goal. Kresse held off her defender as MacVeagh drifted open at the corner of the 18-yard box.
 
Kresse knocked the ball back out to MacVeagh, who unleashed a curling effort into the upper right corner, stunning a Wildcats squad that had led the MIAC in goals allowed heading into today's contest. It was MacVeagh's 17th career goal.
 
St. Catherine's grew into the game after the second Carleton goal, offering a more consistent goal threat. Carleton goalkeeper Avery Trapp was 4-of-4 on saves in the first frame, with the best coming on a 20-yard rocket from Kendra Lingman in the 33^rd minute. Trapp dove sharply to her left and palmed the ball away. The Wildcats nearly cashed in a second-chance opportunity moments later, but outside back Zaraya Jordan cleared the ball off the goal line.
 
The second half began the teams going end-to-end but neither side finding many shooting opportunities. The best Carleton chance was when they picked off a short goal kick, passed around the St. Catherine's defense, and Kresse had a shot from the top of the 18 saved by Kate Praetz.
 
St Catherine's clawed one goal back in the 84th minute, with its top two goal scorers combining. Ari Green received the ball on the right side and sent a looping cross into the six-yard box. Timing her run perfectly was Mandy Elton, who got her head to the ball and directed in a goal that gave the Wildcats faithful hope.
 
Carleton wrapped up the game, however, commanding possession in the closing minutes, and killing valuable seconds off the clock with strong ball control in the corner. The win sends the Knights four points clear of St. Catherine's and Macalester for top of the MIAC table.
 
The Knights outshot the Wildcats 12-9, with nine Carleton shots on goal and five for St. Catherine's. The Wildcats won the corner battle 7-2.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton hosts Macalester College on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at Bell Field. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m.