CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Carleton College women's soccer team had a historic campaign come to a close as the Knights bowed out of the NCAA Championships on a 3-2 loss to California Lutheran University.
The match was one between two sides both receiving votes in the most recent national top-25 poll. This was Carleton's (16-3-2) first appearance in the national tournament since 2010, while the Regals (16-1-4) last made it in 2019.
The Knights found themselves in an early hole, as California Lutheran forward and leading scorer Isabella Veljacic jumped on a Carleton giveaway in the ninth minute, rounded the goalkeeper, and finished into the empty net.
Cal Lutheran would double the lead in the 27th minute. Anna Evenson swung in a cross from the right and found sophomore Ashley Escamilla, who volleyed home past the diving keeper. This second goal marked the only time this season that Carleton surrendered multiple scores in a game, as the Knights had allowed only eight goals over the previous 20 contests.
Carleton found a way back into the contest three minutes later when
Dylan Baker was taken down in the box by the Regals goalkeeper, drawing a penalty call from the referee. Center-back and two-time MIAC Defensive Player of the Year
Piper Dean stepped up to the spot-kick, and placed it in the top corner for her seventh goal of the season.
Avery Trapp made two of her four first-half saves in the closing minutes, denying Kari Orr twice. Once, from close range off a bouncing ball, and second on a scoop from a top-of-box shot. Carleton went into the break trailing 2-1, only the second time this season that the Knights were behind at intermission.
California Lutheran continued to have the better of the play for the opening part of the second half, and the Regals capitalized in the 70th minute. Ally Fisicaro swung in a free kick and the ball settled into the box. Maya Blodgett ran onto it and finished to increase Carleton's deficit back to two goals.
With nine minutes remaining Carleton clawed a goal back, as Dean delivered a set-piece into the thick of the 18, where
Dylan Baker tapped back to
Ashlyn Haigh, who took a touch and scored her seventh goal of the season.
Carleton was unable to find the equalizer, and the curtain was drawn on the season. The Knights were outshot 14-8, with Cal Lutheran also holding a 12-4 edge in shots on goal. Trapp made a career-high nine saves in the match.
Despite the disappointing end to the campaign, Carleton still had a great deal to celebrate in 2023, including a second consecutive undefeated conference run and MIAC title. The roster includes only two seniors, but it will be difficult for the Knights to replace
Cate Patterson and
Casey MacVeagh, who both rank among the top offensive players in program history (see charts below).
Most Wins in Program History
18-6-0 (.750) — in 2008
16-3-2 (.809) — in 2023
15-3-2 (.800) — in 2010
14-3-0 (.824) — in 1982
13-5-0 (.722) — in 2007
13-2-3 (.806) — in 2022
Most Career Goals
1. 40 – Birungi Mutebi – 1998-01
2. 30 – Niki Tomita – 2008-11
3. 26 – Nora Mertz – 2016-19
4. 25 – Rose Koch – 1996-99
5. 23 – M. Russell-Dempsey – 1998-01
23 – Cate Patterson – 2019-pres
7. 22 – Ellie Wilson – 2011-14
8. 21 – Nicky Bloom – 2005-08
9. 19 – Marlena Hartman-Filson – 2009-12
19 – Casey MacVeagh, 2021-pres
Most Career Assists
1. 21 – Cate Patterson – 2019-pres
2. 16 – Mia Zutz – 2006-08
3. 15 – Casey MacVeagh, 2021-pres
4. 14 – Lily VanderStaay – 2008-11
5. 13 – Alicia Fischer – 1994,96-97
13 – Bailey Ulbricht – 2011-14
7. 12 – M. Russell-Dempsey – 1998-01
Most Career Points
1. 89 – Birungi Mutebi (40g, 9a) – 1998-01
2. 69 – Niki Tomita (30g, 9a) – 2008-11
3. 67 – Cate Patterson (23g, 21a) – 2019-pres
4. 58 – M.Russell-Dempsey (23g, 12a) – 1998-01
58 – Rose Koch (25g, 8a) – 1996-99
6. 56 – Nora Mertz (26g, 4a) – 2016-19
7. 54 – Ellie Wilson (22g, 10a) – 2011-14
8. 53 – Casey MacVeagh (19g, 15a) – 2021-pres
9. 50 – Nicky Bloom (21g, 8a) – 2005-08
50 – Lily VanderStaay (18g, 14a) – 2008-11
