St. Catherine University Athletics

The St. Catherine University soccer team has had a tough week with three games scheduled in a six-day time span. However, coming off a huge upset of No. 25 Augsburg College Wednesday, the Wildcats had a lot of confidence heading into their next road Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) contest against St. Olaf College. Finally, after a scoreless 90 minutes of regulation, Elly Leyva (San Jacinto, Calif./San Jacinto) lifted the Wildcats past the Oles for a 1-0 victory Saturday in Northfield, Minnesota. 

As they have during most games this season, the Wildcats dominated their opponent offensively Saturday outshooting the Oles 14-7 which included a 10-2 advantage in shots in the opening first half. 

However, the Wildcats couldn't find a way to get past Ruth Hesse who stopped the Wildcats' first three shots on goal during regulation. Eventually, though. Leyva found a way to be the hero when she made a run up the left side to beat Hesse for her sixth goal of the season in the 99th minute of play. 

Danielle Mendez (Bloomington, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) earned her third shutout of the season in goal for the Wildcats with two saves against the Oles. Hannah Okerstrom (Bayport, Minn./Stillwater) dominated the Wildcats' attack with six shots, while Kelly Molitor (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South), Hannah Brown (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South) and Iryna Talkachova (Shoreview, Minn./Shattuck-St. Mary's) each had two shots. 

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 7-4-1 on the season and 3-3 in the MIAC. The Wildcats are slated to return home Tuesday to face Bethel University. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. in St. Paul. 

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