Junior midfielder Paige Cater’s single goal was all the St. Thomas women’s soccer team needed to win the first round game of the NCAA tournament, beating Monmouth College 1-0 Saturday at South Field.
After a quiet first half, Cater’s goal came with 38 minutes left in the second half and was assisted by junior midfielder Kate Heimer and senior midfielder Elizabeth Luotto.
“As that play kind of unfolded, I found myself running into the box and I saw…everybody making that run down that line on the other side,” Cater said. “Eventually, as it was bouncing around…I’m like, ‘you know, this is our time, I’m putting this ball away, we’re going to get up.’”
Heimer, along with sophomore defender Alex Balfour were both recently voted onto the Academic All-District VI team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. They both will go onto a national ballot for Academic All-American consideration.
“I think it’s really exciting for me and Alex (Balfour) both,” Heimer said. “We, and all of our teammates, really take academics seriously, and it’s kind of cool to be recognized as a student athlete, and that student is still there even though we spend so much time with soccer.”
The Tommies (16-2-3) shot 15 times with six on goal, significantly outshooting Monmouth College (14-5-2) who had only two shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Sarah Pasternak was able to save both shots for St. Thomas.
“We came out with good energy,” coach Sheila McGill said. “We didn’t maybe put away the amount of finishes that we wanted, but at the same time we had the energy and the domination.”
Heimer praised the team for its strength, despite losing many valuable seniors last season.
“We knew we were still going to be able to build and have a really successful season,” Heimer said. “I think overall the vibe this year has just been excited…everyone is so excited to be out there and ready to make something happen.”
The Tommies, hoping to continue a 14-game unbeaten streak, play back at South Field Sunday against the winner of Illinois Wesleyan vs. UW-Whitewater, with a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.