Game Summary
WINONA, Minn. — It was a battle of quantity vs. quality at Ochrymowycz Field Tuesday afternoon.
The Carleton women's soccer team certainly had the quantity, attempting 31 shots — including 16 that reached the Saint Mary's University goal.
The Cardinals, however, had the quality, as SMU made good on both of its shots on goal — including Kim Volkart's (Winona, Minn.) game-winning goal with less than four minutes remaining in the second overtime, as Saint Mary's knocked off the Knights 2-1.
"What a game," understated SMU coach Dan Blank, whose Cardinals have now won two straight for the first time since beating Carleton (2-1) and Carroll (1-0 in OT) late in the 2000 season. "This is probably one of the biggest wins we've had in a number of years. This group has been working hard to help rebuild this program — and for them to come up with a win like this, against a very, very good team, it's great."
Speaking of great, Blank's decision to substitute Volkart in late in the second overtime — and move her from her usual defender position to forward — certainly ranks right up there.
"Kim's quick and fast, and we've been watching her in practice and just felt like she could help us out up front," explained Blank. "She's usually a defender, but I just had a feeling if we put her up front, she could make something happen for us."
Which is exactly what the freshman did.
Volkart took an area pass from Diane Schirmers (Prior Lake, Minn.), dribbled two steps to her right, and rifled a shot into the lower right-hand corner that Carleton goalie Sarah Granofsky had no chance at.
"It was a great shot," said Blank. "Kim made a nice move to give herself some room, and then just stuck it away."
After a scoreless first half, Carleton finally got on the board at the 67:51 mark, as Caitlin Coomes beat SMU goalkeeper Emily Strom (Waterford, Wis.). The Knights' lead was short-lived, however, as Schirmers knotted the game at 1-1 with her team-leading fifth goal of the season just five minutes later.
"Diane's goal was a huge lift for us," said Blank. "After they scored, we could have easily let down — especially because of all the pressure (Carleton) was applying. But we hung in there, and waited for our opportunity, and when it came, Diane made it count."
And while the Cardinals were making good on their two shots on goal, Strom was doing her part to thwart the Knights (4-3-0 MIAC, 6-6-0 overall), stopping 15 of the 16 shots she faced — including 10 in the second half alone.
"Emily had a great game — everyone had a great game," said Blank. "I can't say enough about this team, they've just continued to work their tails off — and now they're starting to be rewarded for those efforts."
