Meghan McMillan fights off two Wildcat defenders
Kristen Ericksen maintains possession
Nicole Kwapick shoots the ball
The Gustavus women’s soccer team fell to the College of St. Catherine 1-0 on a blustery Saturday afternoon in St. Peter, Minn. Kaitlin Kramer got St. Kate’s on the board just 3:03 into the game when she scored on a header off a corner kick by Kelsey Nistler. Despite constant pressure on Wildcats’ goalkeeper Kaylee Schmit, the Gusties were unable to find the back of the net with any of their 23 total shots. With the loss, Gustavus falls to 5-7-2 (3-4-1 in the MIAC), while St. Kate’s improves to 7-6-1 (3-5-0 in the MIAC).
St. Catherine jumped out to an early lead when it generated a corner kick just three minutes into the match. Kelsey Nistler took the corner and made a perfect cross to an onrushing Kaitlin Kramer who headed the ball into the corner of the goal past Gustavus’ goalkeeper Ashley Ohlson for a 1-0 lead. Kramer got her third goal of the season, while Nistler increased her team-leading point total to 13 with the assist. The goal turned out to be all Schmit needed as she kept the Gusties off the scoreboard for the full 90 minutes earning the shutout.
Gustavus generated several scoring opportunities late in the game as they pushed the attack forward looking for the tying goal. Sophomore Ashley Anderson scored what appeared to be the tying goal with just under five minutes remaining in the game, but the officials made the correct call in saying that she was in an offsides position when junior Becca Hagen played the ball towards the goal. The Gusties had another great chance two minutes later as Christy Tupy got the ball inside the box and fired a shot that sailed just over the crossbar. In the last minute of play, Hagen collected a pass from senior Callie Christensen and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Schmit made another save on a shot from Christensen with 15 seconds to preserve the victory for the Wildcats.
For St. Catherine, Kaylee Schmit earned her fifth shutout of the season recording eight saves in the win. She improved her record to 6-5-1 on the season. Ashley Ohlson took the loss for Gustavus making two saves in the match and falls to 4-5-2 on the season.
The Gusties will remain home for their next match on Wednesday as they play the Oles from St. Olaf College. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 start time.