NORTHFIELD, Minn. – After falling behind 3-0 over the first 25 minutes, the Carleton College women's soccer team completed an incredible comeback to earn a 3-3 draw with visiting Simpson College.

The Knights (5-0-1) maintained their unbeaten streak to begin the season with the three-goal fightback. Carleton has not come back from a deficit that large to earn a draw or win since at least 2002. This was the first time Carleton had conceded three goals at Bell Field since 2017, but also the third straight game scoring three goals for the Knights.

The Storm (4-0-3) got an early break, as the referee awarded a penalty in the 11th minute which defender Maddie Hays converted. Jordyn Foelske scored an acrobatic goal in the 22nd minute to extend the lead, then got her brace three minutes later with a goal from inside the six-yard box.

Carleton gained a glimmer of hope before the break when All-American defender Piper Dean headed home a corner kick delivery from Claire Burbery in the 31st minute.

The home side began the second half on the front foot and won a 53rd-minute free kick deep in the Simpson third. Dean stepped up to the dead ball from 22 yards out and sent a thunderous shot towards the top corner.

The Knights still trailed, and urged on by a raucous crowd on the hill adjacent to Bell Field, continued to push for an equalizer. A scramble in the box in the 69th minute sent the ball just inches shy of crossing the line, but the referee waved to play on. A few minutes later, the Storm nearly cinched their victory when All-American Cassie Nash was slipped in alone on goal, but Avery Trapp stood tall and made a sprawling save.

In the 80^th minute, the Knights began to build a counter-attack, and Hadley Twichell guided a perfect ball through a pair of defenders to find Lauren Caldwell in space at the top of the 18-yard box. Caldwell curled a shot into the top left corner to complete the comeback. A tense final 10 minutes did not separate the teams.

Dean's brace was the first multi-goal game of her career. Trapp made four saves, her second-most this year.

Carleton put 15 shots goalward, eight of which found frame. Simpson had 11 attempts, seven on net. A physical game finished with 26 total fouls.

Up Next for the Knights
The MIAC slate begins for Carleton, as the Knights travel to Gustavus Adolphus College on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Kickoff at Gustie Soccer Field is at 4:00 P.M.