---

CL 12, Columbia Heights 0

Nine different players scored for the Wildcats as they claimed their biggest North Suburban Conference victory ever with a 12-0 thumping of Columbia Heights Tuesday, October 2 at Columbia Heights.

Lauren Althaus scored her first two varsity goals ever. Ariel Novak notched her first varsity goal as well, assisted by Tara Wilson. Wilson scored her first two goals of the season. Sara Sontag hip-checked a corner kick into the back of the net. Cassie Trandahl, Amanda Houle, Lindsay Fowler-Wacholz and Hannah Cadry also scored. "It's nice to have some goal production," said Wildcat head coach Brett Kjos, "to have players know what it feels like to score. Hopefully we can keep this going in the playoffs."

"I'm most proud of Nicole Checkalski. She's been playing defense most of the year. I've been watching her in practice the last few weeks and noticed she has a nice shot. My goal has been to get her a goal. We've been playing her at forward here and there. She got some opportunities today and scored her first two varsity goals for us tonight."

Spring Lake Park 2, CL 0

The Wildcats managed to keep North Suburban Conference champions Spring Lake Park off the scoreboard for most of the game. But, the Class AA Panthers broke a scoreless tie with 20 minutes remaining on their way to a 2-0 win over the Class A Wildcats Thursday, October 4 at Spring Lake Park.

The Panthers' first goal came after a corner kick. The ball sailed into the penalty area and a scramble ensued. For "what seemed like five minutes" said Wildcat head coach Brett Kjos, the Wildcats couldn't clear the ball and the Panthers couldn't get off a clear shot. Finally, the ball squirted loose from the pack and rolled just inside the left post to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. The Panthers clinched the win with seven minutes left in the game. A Panther forward put a perfect crossing pass into the box and another Panther player one-timed it into the net to make the final score Spring Lake Park 2, Chisago Lakes 0.

"That was one of our best games all year," said Kjos. "Our back line did a fantastic job with their highly skilled forwards and speedy midfielders. They kept coming at us and we kept fighting them off. That is how we'll need to play in the section playoffs if we want to advance."

Minnehaha Academy 2, CL 1

The Wildcats put on another impressive performance last Saturday, October 6, nearly spoiling Homecoming for the fifth-ranked Minnehaha Academy Redhawks. The Redhawks scored two first half goals and held off the Wildcats in the second half for a 2-1 win at Minnehaha Academy's field in Minneapolis.

The Redhawks' first goal came midway through the first half. A Wildcat defensive breakdown in front of their own net left a player unmarked and she took advantage of the opportunity, putting a clear shot just inside the far post. Minnehaha scored again just a few minutes later. A Redhawk forward headed in a well-placed corner kick to make the score 2-0 in favor of the Redhawks at the half.

The Wildcats closed the gap with 20 minutes remaining in the second half. Sarah Lasiuk launched a 25 yard free kick. The Redhawk goalkeeper leaped up and just missed the ball. It hit off the bottom edge off the crossbar and went almost straight down, bouncing just over the goal line before spinning back out toward the field. The linesman had a great angle on the ball and ruled it a goal. The Redhawks protested, but to no avail. Minnehaha shut the Wildcats down after the goal, leaving the final score at Minnehaha Academy 2, Chisago Lakes 1.

"The reason Minnehaha protested the goal so insistently," said Wildcat head coach Brett Kjos, "was that it was the first time somebody had scored on them in eleven games. They've only given up five goals all season. We were pleased with how we played against such a highly-ranked team, especially since our Homecoming was the night before and some of our players were a little tired. Based on the way we played, we're right where we want to be for the playoffs."

---