About the Program
In 2010 the Knights finished the regular season 13-2-1 (9-1-1 MIAC), winning the regular season conference title for the first time in program history. In the conference tournament they fell to Concordia-Moorhead on penalty kicks, but due to a strong season overall the team received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. This was the Knights’ third consecutive year of attendance. They dispatched Augustana (SD) 2-1 in overtime of the first round before falling to Wheaton (Ill.) 4-1 in the second round.
The team finished with 15 wins, the second highest total in school history and finished the season ranked 15th in the NSCAA final regular season poll, the highest ranking in program history. The Knights had a 13-game undefeated streak in the regular season. Senior defender Leigh-Anne Borkowski highlighted the honors by being named a first team All-American as well as a first team All-MIAC selection. Junior forward Niki Tomita was named the 2010 MIAC player of the year, as well as a member of the Division III All-North Region team. Junior midfielder Abby Wills was named a second team Scholar All-American, first team Scholar All-North Region, All-Region first team and first team All-MIAC. Junior midfielder Lily VanderStaay was named to the Scholar All-North Region second team, All-Region third team and All-MIAC honorable mention. Additional Knights were well represented on the Honor roll, as nine players were named Academic All-Conference for the MIAC, four players were tabbed as All-MIAC selections. The six Carleton players selected to NSCAA All-North Region teams were the most of any college.
2009 saw the Knights make their second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, as they overcame an injury-plagued season and became the first team ever to win the MIAC playoff championship as the #4 seed. Before defeating Macalester College 3-0 in the conference final, the Knights overcame top-seeded and nationally seventh-ranked Concordia College-Moorhead in the semis, winning on a thrilling penalty kick shootout. Niki Tomita topped the year's individual accomplishments, earning All-MIAC and third team All-Region honors. Rachel Foran joined her on the All-Conference squad, while Abby Wills and Kate Trenerry were both All-MIAC honorable mention. The Knights finished the season 10-6-5, falling to Wheaton College (Ill.) in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
2008 was a history-making season for the Knights. They advanced to the quarterfinals ('Elite 8') of the NCAA tournament, marking the first time in school history for any Carleton team to advance that far in the tournament. With 18 wins, a first-time conference tournament championship, and a national ranking (21st), the team set new program records.
In 2007 the Knights notched 13 wins, one shy of the school record, and finished 13-5 overall. They crafted an impressive run of nine consecutive wins late in the season and finished fifth in the conference, narrowly missing the MIAC playoffs.
