LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Lauren Caldwell scored a first-half free-kick goal for the Carleton College women's soccer team, and a stalwart defense made that tally stand up in a 1-0 win over John Carroll University. With the victory, the Knights advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Championships.
 
Carleton (17-2-2, 9-1-1 MIAC) is making its third consecutive NCAA Championships appearance. The Knights advanced to the second round for the second straight year, and won a national tournament game in regular time for the first time since 2008. Carleton's 17th win of the season is second-most in team history (see chart below).

The Knights entered the contest ranked No. 16 in the NCAA Power Index (NPI), while John Carroll was listed at No. 60.
 
The contest began quickly, with both teams directing three shots on goal in the opening 12 minutes. Lola Feurer and Kathryn Kresse drew two saves on the dive from John Carroll goalkeeper Madeline Martin in the sixth and 10th minutes.
 
The Blue Streaks' (13-6-1, 5-2 North Coast Athletic Conference) high-pressing style forced turnovers aplenty, one of which led to a shot by Emma West from 17 yards out. Avery Trapp made a full-extension save, palming the ball out of danger. Trapp made another leaping stop in the 27th minute on a long-range Brooke Berkowitz try. In the 33rd minute, Carleton's Lily Shure got one the end of a one-two at the edge of the eighteen, and forced a sliding grab out of Martin.
 
Three minutes later, Kathryn Kresse drew a foul outside the box, setting up a 20-yard free kick attempt. Caldwell sent a left-footed effort goalward, which hooked just below the bar for her sixth goal of the season, a career best.
 
Claire Burbery burst down the left flank in the 56th minute, ending up one-on-one with the 'keeper. The winger's effort was too close to Martin, who soaked up the try. John Carroll was held at arm's length by the Knights for most of the second half, but a free-kick deep in Carleton's half set up one final chance. The Blue Streaks rolled short for Meredith Coloian, whose 20-yard shot rocketed off the right post, allowing the maize and blue to hold on.
 
Trapp totaled five saves on the day to earn her 11th solo clean sheet, tied for second-most in a season by a Knights' netminder. As a team, Carleton has posted 15 shutouts, most in team history (see charts below). Carleton has now shut out 13 of their last 14 opponents and each of their last five. The Knights backline has allowed just two goals in total since Sept. 27, spanning 1,270 minutes of game time.

Carleton finished the game with an 18-7 advantage in shot attempts and an 8-5 edge in shots on goal. Both sides attempted two corner kicks.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton tangles with regional host Lake Forest College on Sunday, Nov. 16 in the Second Round of the NCAA Championships. Kickoff at Mohr field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CST. Lake Forest, the nation's number 12 team per the NCAA Power Index, is the only D-III squad without a draw or loss (21-0-0).


Carleton Women's Soccer postgame press conference
 
Most Carleton Women's Soccer Wins – Single Season
1.  18  --  2008  --  (18-6-0)
2.  17  --  2025  --  (17-2-2)
3.  16  --  2023  --  (16-3-2)
4.  15  --  2010  --  (15-3-2)
5.  14  --  1982  --  (14-3-0)
5.  14  --  2024  --  (14-2-7)
 
Most Shutouts by a Carleton Women's Soccer Goalkeeper – Single Season
1. 12 – Yusi He – 2006
2. 11 – Mikayla Coulombe – 2014
2. 11 – Avery Trapp – 2025
4. 10 – Kate Trenerry – 2008
4. 10 – Avery Trapp – 2024
 
Most Team Carleton Women's Soccer Shutouts – Single Season
1. 15 – 2025
2. 14 – 2008
3. 13 – 2006
4. 12 – 2023
5. 11 – 2014