NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College women's soccer team clipped the wings of the previously unbeaten and No. 14-ranked University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles, winning a 3-2 thriller at Bell Field.
 
UW-La Crosse (8-1-0) entered the match unbeaten, having won their first eight contests by at least four goals each. The Eagles were second in NCAA D-III in goals with 42, and had allowed just two total goals over 720 minutes.
 
Control of the match careened back and forth from the opening whistle, with both teams offering early shots and counter-attacks. However, the Knights (5-1-2) became the first team this year to hold La Crosse scoreless in the opening 10 minutes. In the 13th minute, Ashlyn Haigh latched onto a corner kick from Claire Burbery and powered a header into the low corner to give Carleton a 1-0 lead.
 
The visitors turned on their high pressure after conceding the goal, and the 25th minute saw Jillian Sawadski race towards the byline and swing a ball for Amaya Thesing, who stepped into the cross and thumped home her eighth goal of the year.
 
The two sides exchanged possession for a tense 10 minutes, with Sawadski drawing a diving stop from Carleton goalkeeper Avery Trapp near the half-hour mark.
 
In the 37th minute, the Knights were opportunistic in reclaiming the lead. The Eagles backpassed the ball to their keeper, who first touch was too strong, and Carleton leading scorer Kathryn Kresse stole the ball and smashed home her 30th career goal to hand the hosts a 2-1 lead. That goal ties Kresse for second-most in Carleton history (see chart below).
 
La Crosse forced two more saves from Trapp in the first 15 minutes post-intermission, but the defensive line held firm. In minute number 65, Carleton dialed up what became a needed insurance goal. Lily Shure received a short pass from Rian Fitzpatrick, and banged a 25-yard shot off the crossbar and just over the line for her first career goal.
 
Carleton upped the pressure after the goal and forced two more saves out of the UW-La Crosse 'keeper Summer Nicolai. A long punt from Nicolai after the second stop bounded to the Eagles leading scorer Aubree Caya, who's 20-yard rocket sailed under the crossbar for her ninth goal of the season, making the scoreboard read 3-2. Despite two late chances for the Eagles, the score would be unchanged.
 
Trapp totaled six saves in the game, as did Nicolai. Carleton outshot UW-La Crosse, 17-14, with a 9-8 edge in shots on goal. UWL took six corners, all in the first half, while the Knights took three.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton heads to St. Paul to return to MIAC play against Macalester College on Saturday, Sept. 27. That game will serve as the back half of a men's-women's doubleheader and kick off is slated for 3:30 p.m.

Carleton Women's Soccer Career Goals Leaders
1. 40 – Birungi Mutebi – 1998-01
2. 30 – Niki Tomita – 2008-11
2. 30 – Kathryn Kresse – 2022-pres
4. 26 – Nora Mertz – 2016-19
5. 25 – Rose Koch – 1996-99
6. 23 – M. Russell-Dempsey – 1998-01
6. 23 – Cate Patterson – 2019-2023
8. 22 – Ellie Wilson – 2011-14
9. 21 – Nicky Bloom – 2005-08
10. 19 – Marlena Hartman-Filson – 2009-12
10. 19 – Casey Macveagh – 2020-2024