MIAC Women’s Soccer Playoffs: Semifinal Matchup Preview
NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Playoffs are heating up as the third-seeded St. Olaf College women’s soccer team prepares to challenge second-seeded Carleton College in the semifinals. This highly anticipated match is scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. at Bell Field.
St. Olaf (15-2-2) secured their semifinal berth following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over sixth-seeded Saint Mary’s University in the quarterfinals on Monday. Carleton (14-2-2), having finished second in the regular season, received a bye into the semifinals.
Other Semifinal Matchup
In another exciting semifinal, fourth-seeded Augsburg University will face the top-seeded St. Catherine University, also set for a 2 p.m. kickoff on Thursday in St. Paul. Augsburg advanced after a narrow 2-1 win against fifth-seeded Macalester College.
Championship Game Details
The winners of the semifinals will advance to the championship match, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8. The location will be determined by the highest remaining seed, with a tentative kickoff at 1 p.m. The MIAC Playoff champion will earn an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Admission and Ticket Information
In accordance with MIAC policy, there is an admission fee for all playoff games. Tickets are exclusively available online via HomeTown Ticketing; cash sales are not permitted at any venue. Prices are set at:
- $12 for adults (plus service charge)
- $3 for students (with ID, plus service charge)
- Free admission for children aged five and under
MIAC passes are recognized, but other passes are not applicable.
Streaming Services
This season, the MIAC is introducing a pay-per-view live streaming service for the playoffs across all sports. Fans can watch the games on the MIAC Sports Network, with options to purchase:
- A single-game pass for $10
- A championship pass for $25 to view the entire tournament
On-demand access to all playoff games will be available following the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament. For assistance, fans can consult the MIAC Sports Network Help Page or contact Hudl Customer Support.
St. Olaf’s Recent Performance
In their latest game, junior Wren VanDeWalker scored in the second half’s opening minute, securing a 1-0 win for St. Olaf over Saint Mary’s. This victory marked the Oles’ third consecutive appearance in the MIAC quarterfinals, with the program reaching the semifinals six times, though they have not yet competed in a championship game.
Carleton’s Playoff History
Carleton enters the MIAC Playoffs for the 11th time and for the fourth year running. Historically, the Knights have a 9-8 record in the playoffs and have previously won the tournament twice in 2008 and 2009. Last season, they reached the semifinals but fell short after consecutive championship game appearances as the top seed in both 2022 and 2023.
Rivalry Matchup
Thursday’s semifinal will be a rematch between these crosstown rivals, only the second time they have faced off in the MIAC Playoffs. In 2022, Carleton won decisively, 3-1. In their earlier regular-season matchup on September 16, the teams drew 1-1, despite St. Olaf dominating in shots (14-2) and shots on goal (8-1).
