ST. PAUL, Minn.  --  The Carleton College women's soccer team claimed the 2025 MIAC Playoffs Championship with a 1-0 triumph at tournament top seed and No. 24-ranked St. Catherine University. Defender Zaraya Jordan's first career goal was the difference in the match. With the win, the Knights earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.

"I'm so proud of this team," said Carleton head coach Jessica Mueller. "Our focus all year has been to learn, improve, compete, repeat. This group is playing its best soccer when it matters most. They have stuck together through the highs and lows of the season, and they are excited for the opportunity to continue to improve, play the game they love, and compete against some of the best teams in the country."

The victory secured Carleton's (16-2-2, 9-1-1 MIAC) third MIAC Playoff Championship in program history and first since 2009. The Knights are headed back to the NCAA Tournament berth for the third consecutive season, tied for the longest such run in team history (three straight from 2008-10).
 
St. Catherine (17-3-0, 10-1-0) took the game's first shot through Bella Meier, but her high-and-wide effort would be the Wildcats' only attempt in the opening half.
 
Carleton took the remaining eight shots over the first half of play and led in possession percentage 56-44. The Knights' two best chances both sailed just over the crossbar, first Lily Shure from the top of the box in the 12th minute and a Sam Gotch free kick in the 24th minute.
 
The visiting Knights had the first quality chance of the second half in the 52nd minute. Hadley Twichell and Gotch worked a one-two down the right flank after a Carleton corner, which sprung Gotch free in the box. Her tight-angled try drew a diving save from St. Kate's goalkeeper Brianna Valdez.
 
Avery Trapp made a pair of simple saves over the next 10 minutes, keeping the score knotted at zero. The deadlock was finally broken in the 75th minute. Ashlyn Haigh played a simple pass to the center-back Jordan, who surged forward from her defensive position to the top of the box. The junior unleashed a crackling shot from 20 yards out that ripped the top left corner of the net, giving Carleton their long-sought lead.
 
The Knights limited the desperate Wildcats to just one shot over the final 15 minutes of play, which was saved calmly by Trapp. Carleton ushered their lead over the line, and secured their spot in the NCAA Tournament.
 
St. Catherine has lost just three matches this year: once to Emory, the nation's No. 2 team per the NCAA Power Index, and twice to Carleton.
 
The Knights controlled the match, outshooting St. Catherine 15-4, with six shots on net to St. Kate's three. Valdez made five stops in the match for the hosts.
 
Trapp made three total saves in the match, earning her 10th solo clean sheet, and the team's 14th in 20 matches. The shutout earned the junior netminder sole possession of the Carleton career shutouts record, with 27. The Knights' 14 clean sheets are tied for most in team history (see charts below).
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will find out who its opening-round opponent and location when the full 64-team bracket for the NCAA Championships is revealed during the selection show to air on NCAA.com at 10:00 a.m. (CT) on Monday, Nov. 10.
 
Most Wins in a Season
1.  18  --  2008  --  (18-6-0)
2.  16  --  2023  --  (16-3-2)
2.  16  --  2025  --  (16-2-2)
4.  15  --  2010  --  (15-3-2)
5.  14  --  2024  --  (14-2-7)
 
Most Shutouts in a Season
1.  14  --  2008
1.  14  --  2025
3.  13  --  2006
4.  12  --  2023
5.  11  --  2014
 
Most Goalie Shutouts — single season
1.  12  --  Yusi He  --  2006
2.  11  --  Mikayla Coulombe  --  2014
3.  10  --  Kate Trenerry  --  2008
3.  10  --  Avery Trapp  --  2024
3.  10  --  Avery Trapp  --  2025
 
Most Goalie Shutouts — career
1.  27  --  Avery Trapp  --  2023-present
2.  26  --  Mikayla Coulombe  --  2012-15
3.  25  --  Yusi He  --  2005-08
4.  18  --  Beth Ashinsky  --  2009-11
5.  16  --  Kate Trenerry  --  2008-10