Box Score

The College of Saint Benedict Blazer soccer team (11-6-1 overall, 7-3-1 MIAC) defeated conference opponent Concordia College (10-4-3 overall, 7-2-2 MIAC) 3-1 Saturday afternoon in St. Joseph, MN.

Saint Benedict started the scoring 18 minutes into the game on an unassisted goal from sophomore forward Paige Olson (Plymouth, MN, West Lutheran).  Concordia answered back twenty minutes later with a goal by Susan Obermiller.  After one half of play the teams were tied at a goal apiece.  The Cobbers outshot the Blazers 9-6 in the first half. 

Fifteen minutes into the second half first year defender Kristina Burk (Westminster, CO, Holy Family)gave the Blazers a one goal lead when she lofted a ball over the Concordia goalkeeper and into the back far side of the net.  Five minutes later, the Blazers went up by two.  Olson took a corner kick that sophomore midfielder Hannah Frost (Mahtomedi, MN, Mahtomedi) deflected towards the goal.  Junior forward Heather Beshears (Maple Grove, MN, Maple Grove) redirected the ball away from the Cobber goalie and into the back of the net.  

Senior goalkeeper Maija Schmelzer (Rochester, MN, John Marshall) made nine saves in net for the Blazers.  Concordia goalkeeper Ali Nelson made nine saves on the day.  The Blazers outshot Concordia 20-18.

In order to advance to the MIAC playoffs, Saint Benedict had to win.  St. Olaf or St. Thomas also had to lose their game today.  Carleton College (13-2-1 overall, 9-1-1 MIAC) defeated St. Olaf (13-5 overall, 7-4 MIAC) giving the Blazers a playoff birth.  Saint Benedict finished the season tied for third in the MIAC with St. Thomas.  St. Thomas received the third seed since they beat the Blazers 1-0 on September 29th, in St. Joseph, MN.  

Saint Benedict will play Carleton College on Wednesday, November 3rd, at 2 pm.