ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College women's soccer team battled Augsburg University but came up a bit short in a 1-0 defeat Saturday afternoon at John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium. The result ends the 2024 season for the Scots with a 6-8-3 record overall, including a 3-6-2 mark in the conference. The Auggies (8-4-5, 4-2-5 MIAC) clinch a spot in the MIAC Playoffs with the win.

After a scoreless first half, Macalester began creating more offensive chances. Sophomore defender Abbey Birkey (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) and junior defender Becky Mulcahy (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park Country School) totaled three shots on goal over the first eight minutes of the second half. With the Scots pushing the attack, Augsburg countered following a Macalester corner kick in the 71st minute. Samantha Meyer dribbled the ball up the middle, worked a give-and-go with Jayla Ponce, then found Alanna Franklin in the middle. Franklin placed a shot into the upper right corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead.

The Scots continued to attack and put two shots on frame over the final 20 minutes, including a shot from senior midfielder Mikaely Evans (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard South) from 10 yards out that was saved by Augsburg goalkeeper Claire Smothers. But Macalester, which needed a win to qualify for the MIAC Playoffs, was unable to pull even.

Sophomore goalkeeper Abigail Heuga (San Francisco, Calif./Urban School of San Francisco) registered seven saves in goal for Macalester, while Smothers had eight saves for the Auggies.

Before the game, the Scots honored their seven seniors as a part of Senior Day: Evans, Rashi DaSilva (Albany, Calif./Albany), Caighley Espardinez (Camarillo, Calif./Rancho Campana), Ashlyn Ryan (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside School), Ella Short (Denver, Colo./Denver East), Gaby Valle (Compton, Calif./Chadwick School), and Bella Zerafa (Sartell, Minn./Sartell).

The Scots return 25 players from this year's squad for 2025.