Despite outshooting the Cardinals by a wide margin (24-9), the Oles simply could not sneak the ball past St. Mary’s goalie Jennifer Johnson. St. Olaf goalkeeper Emily Rolfsmeyer ’07 totaled five saves, but allowed a goal in each of the game’s two halves. The Cardinals scored on their only shot during the second half.

The following Saturday, the Oles earned a 5-0 victory against the St. Catherine’s Wildcats. The win marked the team’s second shutout in a row (they also defeated Gustavus 2-0 Oct. 1).

After taking a pass from Kaia Knutson ’06, Kelsey Watt ’07 scored a goal in the 16th minute, allowing the Oles to take an early lead against the Wildcats.

Teaming up again early in the second half, Watt found Knutson for another goal, giving the Oles a two-goal lead. The pair scored once more in the 72nd minute of the game, with another assist from Knutson and solid finish from Watt, her eighth goal this season.

Watt has accumulated 29 career goals at St. Olaf, just three shy of Carolyn Detjen’s ‘03 school record. After the St. Kate’s contest, Knutson has three goals and goals assists to her name this season.

The Oles’ current record is 3-4-1 in the MIAC and 5-7-1 overall. Tuesday’s loss allowed St. Mary’s to overtake St. Olaf in the conference standings.

The team, which sat in fifth place before Tueday’s action, currently sits at seventh in the MIAC. The top four teams in the conference advance to the playoffs.

Last season, the Oles were the number three seed in the conference tournament with a 7-4-1 MIAC record.

With just four games remaining in the regular season, the women’s soccer team will most likely need to win at least three of them to gain their second straight postseason appearance.

The Oles will travel to St. Paul on Saturday to take on St. Thomas University. The Tommies, who are also battling for a coveted playoff spot, are 5-7-0 overall this season.

Printer friendly version | Email this | Write the editors | More articles by Corrine Thomas