LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Carleton College women's soccer team continued a historic season with a 2-0 win over Lake Forest College in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championships.
 
The matchup was between a pair of top 20 teams per the NCAA Power Index (NPI). Carleton was slotted at No. 16, while Lake Forest — which entered the contest as D-III's only team without a loss or draw this season — was ranked No. 12. This was Carleton's second straight year facing an unbeaten squad in the round of 32.
 
Carleton's triumph was its 18th of the season, tying a program record set in 2008 (see chart below). The Knights' upcoming trip to the Sweet 16 is its first since 2008.
 
"I'm just so proud of this group and am grateful to coach this special team through another week of soccer and to represent Carleton on the national stage," said Carleton head coach Jessica Mueller "Let the preparation for another great challenge begin. As our football program says, we '#Keepstackin'."

(recap continued below)


Carleton postgame press conference
 
Lake Forest (21-1-0, 8-0-0 Midwest) had the game's first shot on goal, a bouncing effort from Izzy Destefano swallowed by a diving Avery Trapp in the 15th minute. Five minutes later, Trapp made a strong claim on a free-kick driven to the top corner by Veronica Presberg.
 
Carleton (18-2-2, 9-1-1 MIAC) kept the game tight in the first half but could not create clear-cut chances. Hadley Twichell made a lung-bursting run down the left in minute 27,  but her curling try was just wide at the far post. Both teams exchanged desultory efforts in the final quarter-hour of the first, entering the break still scoreless.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
 
Carleton broke the deadlock five minutes after play resumed. Ashlyn Haigh hopped on a loose ball in the Forester half and laid a pass in the path of Kathryn Kresse. The seasoned goalscorer raced into the box and lashed a bounding finish into the far corner for her 33rd career tally. The goal marked the first instance Lake Forest trailed all season.
 
The Foresters, unaccustomed to playing from behind, were put on the back foot. At the hour mark, Lola Feurer found herself with space atop the box. Feurer's driven effort was on frame, but Greta Norville palmed the ball wide. In the 65th minute, Kresse made a run into the box once again. Norville made the initial save on her tight-angled shot, but Lake Forest could not clear. Lauren Caldwell scrapped for possession and squared for Claire Burbery at the back post, and the senior forward tapped the ball into an empty net for her team-high 10th goal on the season.
 
The Foresters pushed for a late goal to get themselves back in the game. They won a corner and directed a shot on frame, but Zaraya Jordan cleared the ball off the line to keep the hosts off the board. Carleton wound the clock down, survived, and advanced.
 
Trapp finished with a trio of saves, and the maize and blue backline – Twichell, Jordan, Maya Lacey, and Mia Anzalone – held the nation's sixth-most potent offense (4.1 goals per game, 22.3 shots per game) to no goals and just five attempts. This was the first time Lake Forest had been shut out since September 7, 2024, a run of 37 matches.

The shutout was Trapp's 12th solo clean sheet, tying her for the most by a Carleton goalkeeper in single season. It was also the team's 16th, extending their lead atop that record category (see charts below). The Knights have posted six consecutive shutouts, including all four postseason games.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton returns to the Chicago area for a sectional hosted by the University of Chicago. The Knights will face Swarthmore College in the Sectional Semifinal (Round of 16) at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 22. The winner of that game will play the winner of the Chicago vs. California Lutheran game in the Sectional Final at 2:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, Nov. 23 with a berth in the Final Four at stake. The weekend's games are slated to be held at the Stagg Grass Fields on the campus of U of Chicago. 

Sectional Rankings

Team	United Soccer Coaches Rank	NCAA Power Index (NPI)
University of Chicago	No. 7	No. 4
Californai Lutheran University	No. 17	No. 13
Carleton College	regionally ranked	No. 16
Swarthmore College	No. 13	No. 20

 
Most Carleton Women's Soccer Wins – Single Season
1.  18  --  2008  --  (18-6-0)
2.  18  --  2025  --  (18-2-2)
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
1. 12 – Avery Trapp – 2025
3. 11 – Mikayla Coulombe – 2014
5. 10 – Kate Trenerry – 2008
5. 10 – Avery Trapp – 2024
 
Most Team Carleton Women's Soccer Shutouts – Single Season
1. 16 – 2025
2. 14 – 2008
3. 13 – 2006
4. 12 – 2023
5. 11 – 2014