<rleton women’s soccer team took to the pitch this past Saturday in to win a crucial conference matchup against Augsburg College.
Entering the game, both teams found themselves stuck in the middle of the MIAC pack, in need of a victory and three critical conference points. Although a loss would have significantly dimmed Carleton’s chances of winning the conference, a win would find the Knights only a point behind the fourth and final playoff spot. Fortunately, the Knights did not succumb to the pressure, but instead pulled out a win, topping the Auggies, 2-1.
Although neither team managed to put the ball in the net during the first half, the second half of the match provided plenty of fireworks for the partisan crowd.
The excitement began in the 61st minute when Ellie Wilson ’15 found the back of the net to put the Knights up, 1-0. After receiving a pass at the top of the penalty box, Wilson faked to the right, blew by her defender to the left, and slipped a spectacular left-footed chip past the Augsburg keeper, giving Carleton a 1-0 lead. The goal also officially tabbed Wilson as the Knights’ leading scorer.
One goal was not enough for the energized Knights. Just eight minutes after Wilson’s strike, senior leader Niki Tomita got in on the act. After a well-placed pass by midfielder Bailey Ulbricht ’15, Tomita, the reigning MIAC Player of the Year, proved why she holds that title. Marked well by an Augsburg defender, Tomita took two touches towards the center of the box, created an angle for her shot, and curled the ball around her defender, past the keeper, and into the goal. With twenty minutes to go, the Knights led 2-0.
Unfortunately, although they managed to pull out the win, it wasn’t all smiles for Carleton on Saturday. In addition to conceding what proved to be an inconsequential goal to Augsburg striker Olivia Muyers in the 80th minute, Carleton saw four players leave due to injury over the course of the match.
Following senior midfielder Lily Vanderstaay’s hamstring injury early in the match, midfielder Sarah Hagerty ’13 was forced to leave the game with a dislocated shoulder after a hard foul from an Augsburg player. Midfielder Nina Shapiro ’14 also left the match following a hamstring injury in the second half. Finally, in the 81st minute of the match, goalkeeper Beth Ashinsky ’13 was taken off the field with a knee injury following a hard collision with an oncoming Auggie.
But Carleton did not let the injuries dampen their resolve. The 2-1 victory brings the Knights to a fifth-place position in the conference, increasing their chances of making the MIAC playoffs.
In addition, the Knights look to improve their record with three road games this week. The Knights take on St. Mary’s University on Wednesday, and then face Hamline and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on the following weekend.