NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College women's soccer team opened the conference slate by besting Gustavus Adolphus College, 3-1, in a matchup of regionally-ranked teams.
Kathryn Kresse led the Knights with a goal and an assist.
The Knights (4-1-0) are ranked fourth in Region IX while the Gusties (3-2-0) were listed seventh on the same chart. Carleton continues to out-shoot its opponents, this time owning a 28-4 margin in attempts, including a 13-2 edge in shots on goal. On the season, the Knights have taken 116 shots compared to only 42 for their opponents.
Gustavus actually put the first shot of the game for either side on frame, but the Carleton defense would not surrender another dangerous attempt to the visitors over the next 84 minutes.
Piper Dean nearly gave the Knights the lead in the 13th minute, when her 30-yard shot rung the right post. Carleton tested Gusties goalkeeper Claire Hemstock several times over the next 17 minutes but were unable to open the scoring.
In the 30th minute,
Ashlyn Haigh's point-blank header off a corner kick was stopped by Hemstock as was the initial follow-up by
Lauren Caldwell. Finally, Caldwell cleaned up the scrum in front of the Gustavus' goal, lifting the ball over the sprawled bodies along the goal line and into the net for her first collegiate goal.
Kresse figured in both Carleton goals as the Knights tacked on a pair of second-half scores over a 90-second span. She directed home a goal in the 58th minute off a perfectly slotted pass from
Casey MacVeagh. Shortly after, Kresse's corner kick was headed by Haigh off the underside of the crossbar. After the officials conferred, the center referee indicated the ball had gone completely across the line and credited Haigh with her team-best fourth goal of the season.
Cate Patterson's bid for another insurance goal was denied by the left woodwork in the 81st minute.
As they did a year ago when these teams played, Gustavus avoided the shutout thanks to a late goal off a set piece.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will travel to Concordia College-Moorhead for a 2:00 p.m. contest on Saturday, Sept. 16.
