DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Carleton College women's soccer team traveled to No. 16 Loras College for a matchup between the second and third-ranked teams in the region. Both squads entered the match unbeaten this year, but the Duhawks (8-0-0) handed the Knights (7-1-1) their first loss of the campaign by a 1-0 margin.
 
"Our non-conference schedule is really tough this year, and we wanted it that way," said Carleton head coach Jessica Mueller. "As we strive to be in the regional/national conversation on a consistent basis, we need to be able to compete with talented, tough, gritty, and highly athletic teams like Loras from start to finish.
 
"While we had some good moments tonight, they were too few and far between. Moving forward, we'll tweak our training environment a bit and continue to focus on getting better every day so that we're playing our best soccer toward the end of the season. We're looking forward to another great week of training. I know our players are eager to improve, compete and keep moving forward."
 
Carleton headed to the Hawkeye State having matched the best start in program history, but the Knights faced a still challenge in trying to crack the Duhawks' defense that had yet to concede a goal this season.
 
A scoreless first half saw Loras try four shots compared to three for Carleton. The Duhawks broke through in the 49th minute on a goal by Savannah Johnson after the Knights were unable to clear a high-bouncing ball into the box.
 
Now playing from in front, Loras was able to focus on stifling the Carleton attack and concluded the evening with a 14-4 edge in shot attempts.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton returns home to host Bethel University at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.