NORTHFIELD, Minn. –
Zoe Silver tallied her first career brace to lead the Carleton College women's soccer team — ranked No. 20 in the NCAA Power Index (NPI) — to a 3-0 victory over visiting Macalester College on Tuesday.
With the victory, the Knights (11-1-1, 9-0-0 MIAC) clinched a top-two seed in the upcoming MIAC Playoffs and with it a first-round bye and a home game in the semifinals.
"We were really confident, poised, and dangerous in the final third today," said Carleton head coach
Jessica Mueller. "Macalester's goalkeeper played really well and kept a lot of our on-frame chances out of the net, especially in the first half.
"I was glad to see so many shots coming from our forwards today. Everyone who played and rotated into the game up top created scoring chances. The players who came into the game elevated the level and brought a ton of energy and composure to the field, which is exactly what we needed when Macalester started to press and throw numbers forward. Another great team win for this hard-working group. We turn the page immediately to prepare for a really strong St. Ben's team on Saturday."
Carleton was on the attack from the opening kickoff and took the day's first eight shots. The Knights broke through in the 27th minute.
Eliza Barton's cross was deflected into the air, and Silver was first to the ball, one-timing a volley inside the near post.
Silver was opportunistic again in the 34th minute.
Isabelle Connolly was denied by Macalester (6-9-0, 4-5-0 MIAC) goalkeeper Lily Salazar, but Silver pounced on the deflection and again one-touched the ball into the open net. It was Silver's seventh goal of the season, tying her for the fourth-highest goal total by a Carleton first-year (see chart below).
Connolly was robbed again by Salazar — who finished with eight saves, five of them highlight reel worthy stops — in the 55th minute as her shot was tipped just over the crossbar. Connolly got the last laugh, however, as she sent the ensuing corner kick into a dangerous position where it was brought down by
Lily Shure following a deflection. The senior midfielder scored from inside the box for her fourth goal of the season.
Avery Trapp posted the Knights' 10th shutout of the season, tied for the sixth-highest total in program annals (see chart below). It was Carleton's eighth clean sheet in nine games against conference foes. Trapp registered four saves, including a 56th minute stop of Lindsay Edmondson, who was unmarked near the PK spot.
Carleton totaled 17 shots overall compared to 11 for the Scots. Knights put 11 shots on goal versus four for the visitors.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton travels to College of Saint Benedict for a 1:00 p.m. match on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Most Goals by a Carleton First-Year (since 1998)
14 – Birungi Mutebi – 1998
8 – Cassie Burke – 2008
8 –
Hadley Twichell – 2022
7 – Niki Tomita – 2008
7 – Libby Franchot – 2017
7 – Zoe Silver – 2026
Most Shutouts in a Season by Carleton defense
16 – 2025
14 – 2008
13 – 2006
12 – 2023
11 – 2014
10 – 2011
10 – 2024
10 – 2026
