NORTHFIELD, Minn. – After conceding the contest's first goal, the Carleton College women's soccer team responded by reeling off five unanswered tallies to capture their first win of the 2025 season, a 5-1 defeat of the Carthage College Firebirds. The flurry of scoring included three goals and three assists from substitutes.
 
The visitors worked a set play off of a 10^th-minute corner kick, ending with Bella Fusco sweeping a ball to the head of Eve Hockerman, who flicked a header just under the bar for the Firebird's (0-2-0) first goal of the season. Carthage dropped deep and gave the Knights (1-0-1) little space to operate over the ensuing 15 minutes, but in minute 26 Kathryn Kresse ran down a long ball at the byline and chopped back across goal for Lauren Caldwell, who completed a sliding finish to tie the game.
 
The first half ticked away without Carleton scoring again, as the Carthage defense held the hosts to four shots, while the visitors took two.
 
In the 53^rd minute, Caldwell laid off a pass to left-back Sam Gotch, who ran onto it and launched a 35-yard effort on frame, which nestled into the far netting for Gotch's second career goal. That go-ahead tally woke up the Knights, who scored a third soon after from newcomer Lola Feurer. The midfielder received a ball in a tight window at the corner of the 18, and slalomed through three defenders to lash home her first career goal from close range.
 
Carleton kept their foot on the pedal throughout the latter part of the second half, and the home side picked up a fourth goal in the 82^nd minute when debutant Katherine Mallon passed to Kresse, who hummed a long through ball for rookie Mackenzie White. White bent her run off the shoulder of the last defender, and finished calmly, scoring for the first time in her second collegiate game.
 
The Knights weren't quite done, and would tack on one more goal right before the buzzer. Isabelle Connolly, who created opportunities all game in a substitute role, deservedly got on the scoresheet by stealing possession and picking out an open Kiana Feldis in the box. Feldis finished for Carleton's fifth goal with 19 seconds in the game.
 
Caldwell contributed a goal and an assist, her fourth game with multiple goal involvements. Kresse's two assists made her the 23^rd Carleton player to register multiple helpers in a game, and moved her into sole possession of second on the career assists leaderboard, and tied her for second in career points (see charts below). Connolly had four shots in 45 minutes of action, all on goal.
 
Vickie Engel made nine saves for Carthage. Carleton finished with a 20-4 edge in shots, and a 14-2 advantage in shots on goal.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton rests until Friday, September 5, when they face Hope College at Bell Field. Kickoff against the Flying Dutch, who finished last season regionally ranked, is set for 12:00 p.m.

Carleton Women's Soccer Career Points Leaders

1. 89 – Birungi Mutebi (40g 9a) – 1998-01      
2. 69 – Niki Tomita (30g 9a) – 2008-11
2. 69 – Kathryn Kresse (26g 17a) – 2022-pres
3. 67 – Cate Patterson (23g 21a) – 2019-2023

 
Carleton Women's Soccer Career Assists Leaders

1. 21 – Cate Patterson – 2019-2023
2. 17 – Kathryn Kresse – 2022-pres
3. 16 – Mia Zutz – 2006-08
4. 15 – Casey Macveagh – 2020-2023