WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Elizabethtown College women's soccer team had a chance to get into the Landmark postseason with a win on Saturday at Catholic, but the Cardinals had other ideas as they beat the Blue Jays 2-1 at Carlini Field. Maddie McWhinney scored for Etown in the loss.

A tie would have done Elizabethtown (5-9-2, 1-4-2 Landmark) no good as they trailed the Cardinals by a point in the standings for the fourth and final playoff spot.

McWhinney and Skylar Mumford each had chances in the opening 1:20 of play, but both shots were saved by Ava Rieger.

Minutes later, Catholic (3-9-5, 2-2-3 Landmark) would punch through on their first corner kick of the game. Lauren Cerda sent a ball toward the back post that met the head of Brienna Spano, who knocked home her first of the season that gave CATHU a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute.

Later in the half, Etown was able to free up Ashley Rosati for a chance in front of net that was stopped by Rieger again. Then, at the other end, the Cardinals would make it 2-0 on Alexa Adelmann's first of the year.

Needing a lifeline, McWhinney provided just that with only 54 seconds to go before halftime. Olivia Herbert's free kick from near midfield landed just outside the top of the box, and after a few bounces and touches, it was at McWhinney's feet. She took a touch into the box, held off the defender, and placed a shot far post for her third of the season to cut the deficit in half as Elizabethtown trailed 2-1 at the break.

After high production from both offenses in the first half that saw 28 shots between the sides, things became far more defensive in the second half as Catholic clung to that fourth spot in the conference playoffs. The Cardinals would have a slight edge in shots, 4-3, in the second half, but most importantly for them, they did not allow the Jays to score.

Jenna Hoffmann had Etown's last chance on goal in the 87th minute, but Rieger kept it out as Catholic saw the clock out to end Elizabethtown's season.

Trinity Soto made nine saves in her final game in a Blue Jays' uniform. Rieger ended the game with six of her own.