Northfield, Minn. – The Saint Scholastica Women's soccer team traveled south to Northfield, Minn. to wrap up their season against a MIAC Conference opponent, the Knights of Carleton College. Today's match saw the Saints come up just short, ending with a score of 3-0.
First Half
The Saints came out composed in the opening minutes, weathering a strong Carleton attack while maintaining their shape defensively. Goalkeeper Sophia Seals (Orono, MN/Orono HS) made a series of impressive stops early, including a diving save in the seventh minute to deny a point-blank attempt.
Though Carleton opened the scoring in the 7th minute, the Saints regrouped quickly. Midfielders Lily Rippie (Inver Grove Heights, MN/Rosemount HS) and Peyton Mathiasen (St. Cloud, MN/St. Cloud Cathedral HS) worked to control possession, while Ashley Herold (Lakeville, MN/Rosemount HS) and Michelle McGrath (Stillwater, Minn./Hill-Murray HS) anchored the back line, blocking shots and clearing danger from the box.
After a second Carleton goal late in the half, the Saints continued to press forward, earning substitutions that injected energy into the attack. Hannah Holm (Elk River, MN/Elk River HS) and Emily Carroll (Chisagio Lakes, MN/Chisagio Lakes HS) provided key minutes in the midfield, while Kaitlyn Sautter (Princeton, MN./Princeton HS) and Anna Manion (Superior, WI/Superior HS) pushed the pace up front. Seals capped an excellent first half with two more saves to keep the score at 2–0 going into the break.
Second Half
The Saints came out of halftime determined to swing momentum. Mathiasen fired the team's first shot of the day in the 69th minute, followed shortly after by a look from Mariah Hernesman (Duluth, MN/Duluth Marshall HS) that sailed just over the crossbar. The Saints continued to test Carleton's back line, winning a pair of corner kicks midway through the half that nearly created a scoring opportunity for Tenley Voth (Farmington, MN/Farmington HS) in front of the goal.
Defensively, Seals continued her strong outing, finishing with eight saves on 11 shots on goal. Kenna Lammi (Esko, MN/Esko HS) and Brooke Hedin (Rochester, MN/Century HS) added physical play in the defensive third, helping limit Carleton's second-half chances and forcing the Knights to earn every look at goal.
Even as Carleton added a third goal in the 50th minute, the Saints never let up. Late efforts from Zara McBroom (Rochester, MN/John Marshall HS) and Jordyn Sershon (Duluth, MN/Duluth Denfeld HS) off the bench helped sustain offensive pressure until the final whistle.
Season Recap
The Saints conclude their regular season with an overall record of 4-11-4 and a MIAC Conference record of 2-6-2. After tonight's match, the says will say goodbye to six seniors, Peyton Mathiasen (St. Cloud, MN/St. Cloud Cathedral HS), Kaitlyn Sautter (Princeton, MN./Princeton HS), Ashley Herold (Lakeville, MN/Rosemount HS), Tenley Voth (Farmington, MN/Farmington HS), Brooke Hedin (Rochester, MN/Century HS), and Michelle McGrath (Stillwater, Minn./Hill-Murray HS).
