ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict soccer team picked up a big MIAC win Saturday when it defeated St. Olaf 2-0. Sydney Burns and Clair Lehmann scored the team’s two goals, but as has been the case much of the season, the Bennies’ defense played a key role in the team’s third conference win of the year.
The 2-0 win marked CSB’s seventh shutout in 11 games played so far in 2021, and fourth shutout in the last five MIAC games. For their work keeping another conference opponent off the scoreboard and helping the Bennies move up in the MIAC standings, Saint Benedict’s defense is this week’s CSB Athletes of the Week.
Goalies Paige Kahlmeyer and Annie Waters made some big plays to keep the Oles off the board Saturday afternoon at the OAC. Kahlmeyer made four saves in the first half to earn the win after Burns’ goal put the Bennies up 1-0, and Waters added six saves to her season total as the Ole offense came alive late and tried to get on the board.
Waters and Kahlmeyer have combined to give up just one goal in the last five MIAC games dating back to the team’s double overtime tie against Saint Mary’s on Sept. 18. Three of the team’s last six games have gone to double overtime, and two of those ended in scoreless ties.
Waters is currently fifth in the MIAC with a 0.69 goals-against average and Kahlmeyer is right behind with a 0.72 average, and both athletes have more than 25 saves.
While the goalies play a crucial role, the team’s starting defenders have also been a key part of Saint Benedict’s success so far this season. The trio of Abby Willenbring, Olivia Miller and Ella Young have started in all 11 of the team’s games so far this season, lead the team in minutes played and have been keeping opposing defense off balance all year.
On Saturday, the Bennies gave up a single corner kick against the Oles, and the team’s defense didn’t allow any breakaways by the St. Olaf offense. The Oles put 10 shots on net, but Willenbring, Miller, Young and company made sure that not all of the chances were quality shots – several were off balance or contested shots. Young played all 90 minutes on Saturday,a nd put two shots on net. Miller and Willenbring both saw 78 minutes of action against the Oles.
Willenbring is tied for the team lead with three assists so far this season, and she, Miller and Young all have one goal.
Junior Grace Navara has also seen significant time at defender for the Bennies, and she and Lindsay Mueller both spend time in the backfield. First year Katie Thomas has also started on defense for the Bennies, and senior Margo Achterkirch and first year Reagan Sternquist are a key subs for the Saint Benedict defense.
The Bennie defense gets put to the test again Tuesday, Oct. 12, when it heads to Arden Hills for a 4 p.m. matchup against Bethel. The Royals are 5-7 overall and 3-3 in the MIAC.
