WHITEWATER, Wis. - After a back-and-forth opening period, the Carleton College women's soccer team pulled away in the second half en route to a 4-1 win over University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
 
At 7-1-0, the Knights have matched the second-best start to a season in program history (see chart below).
 
Carleton opened the scoring midway through the first half, when a long shot from Cate Patterson ricocheted off the crossbar to the feet of Saheli Patel, who slotted away the tap-in. This was Patel's second goal of the season.
 
UW-Whitewater (3-4-1) responded just over 10 minutes later, when Jordyn Czarapata's diving header from the top of the box found its way into the Carleton net. The half ended with each team registering just two shots on goal.
 
The second half was a different story, as Carleton came out in full force. After owning a slight 5-3 advantage in shot attempts over the first 45 minutes, the Knights owned a 10-0 margin in that category after intermission.
 
Kathryn Kresse notched her fifth goal of the season in the 58th minute. A through ball from Casey MacVeagh found Kresse, who had her first shot saved before a second attempt off the rebound found the back of the net. Kresse is now tied with Ashlyn Haigh for the team lead in goals this season.
 
The Knights' third and fourth goals came less than three minutes apart. In the 78th minute, Lauren Caldwell's perfectly placed pass found the feet of Claire Burbery, who was making a run into the box. Burbery took a touch and then shot around the keeper for the second goal this year. Defender Piper Dean accounted for Carleton's final tally, rising above a crowd to head home a corner kick from Patterson. It was Dean's second goal as well and Patterson's team-high fifth assist of the season.
 
Avery Trapp picked up the victory while making her first career start in goal for the Knights.
 
Up Next for The Knights
Carleton will be back home for the crosstown rivalry against St. Olaf on Wednesday, September 27th at 4:00.
 
Best record through 8 games to start to a season
7-0-1 in 1984 (finished 11-0-3)
7-1-0 in 2022 (finished 13-2-3)
7-1-0 in 2023