BOXSCORE BOXSCORE

WINONA, Minn. -- Rachel Nelson (SO, Coon Rapids, Minn.) scored the lone goal of the game in the 41st minute, lifting Augsburg College to a 1-0 win over St. Mary's University in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's soccer game on Saturday afternoon at Ochrymowycz Field.

Nelson scored from Courtney Gamrath (SR, St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) at the 40:16 mark for Augsburg, which finished its 2011 season at 9-8-1 overall, 6-4-1 in MIAC play. Augsburg has recorded eight or more victories in women's soccer in eight of the last 10 seasons. Augsburg finished in fifth place in the MIAC standings, the sixth time in the last eight seasons that Augsburg has finished in the top five in the MIAC standings.

"It's nice to close the season with a win," said Augsburg coach Mike Navarre. "We played well today and were able to get contributions from several players. I'm proud of Rachel's goal -- she has worked hard and was rewarded this afternoon. Despite the enjoyment of winning, it is tough to finish fifth and out of the four-team MIAC playoffs. Nevertheless, we made some solid progress this year and look to next year with optimism."

Augsburg outshot St. Mary's (3-14-0 overall, 1-10-0 MIAC) by a 12-5 margin, with Bri Clark (JR, Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka HS) recording three shots. Nelson and Olivia Muyres (FY, Rochester, Minn./Lourdes HS) recorded two shots each.

Katie Gajewski (SO, Wausau, Wis./Wausau East HS) and Taylor Becker (SR, Red Wing, Minn.) split time in goal, with Gajewski playing the first half and Becker recording one save in the second half.

Cassie Hulett claimed four saves for St. Mary's, while Amanda Rahman had three shots.

The game was the final contest for five Auggie seniors -- Becker, Gamrath, Laurie Barger (SR, Monticello, Minn.), Katie Jacobson (SR, St. Cloud, Minn./Apollo HS) and Lindsey Niederhaus (SR, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS). Gamrath had nine goals and 17 assists for 35 points in 72 career games. Niederhaus had four assists in 38 career games, while Barger had one assist in 14 career games. Jacobson competed in 28 career games as an Auggie, and Becker appeared in seven career games (five in goal).

"I credit the senior class for helping to create our ascension," Navarre said. "They came in with high expectations after four consectutive playoff appearances, but missed the playoffs in a tiebreaker in their first year. After this heartbreak, they have spent the last three years trying to climb back to the top. It's been difficult; there are so many quality teams in the league. Fortunately, we are getting closer and this would not happen without their desire and dedication. Now coaches and returning players must get better. This is, and always will be, our objective."