Results

The College of Saint Benedict Blazer soccer team (12-6-1 overall, 9-2-1 MIAC) defeated Macalester (11-7-1 overall, 7-4-1 MIAC) 2-0 in a shootout during the MIAC Semifinals.

The game was deadlocked during the entire first half as both teams were moving the ball up the field, but neither team could get a great shot on goal. The Blazers tallied six shots on goal in the first half, while Macalester mustered only two. As the game went on the defense picked up for both teams, as only four total shots on goal were allowed in the second half.

Nearing the end of the second half, both teams were getting very physical as there was 13 fouls in the closing 10 minutes. With five second left in the second half, the Blazers had a one on one against the Macalester goalkeeper  and took the shot from 10 yards out, but the shot sailed high forcing overtime. There was a combined five shots during both overtime periods, three for Saint Ben's and two for Macalester, while neither team had a great scoring opportunity.

With no one scoring in either allotted 10 minute overtime, the game was set to go to a shootout. Senior defender Kelsey Faber (Eden Prairie, MN, Eden Prairie) started the shootout for the Blazers, but her shot hit the right post and the score remained 0-0. First-year goalkeeper Megan Favorite (Maple Grove, MN, Maple Grove) came up with a huge save against Macalester's first shooter and it was onto the next round. Both goalkeepers stopped the next round of shots to continue a 0-0 tie going into the third shootout round.

It was junior forward Paige Olson (Plymouth, MN, West Lutheran) who struck first for the Blazers. Olson gave a fake kick left, once the goalkeeper bit she placed in perfectly with her left foot in the bottom right corner of the net to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead. The next Macalester shooter laced a shot towards the left corner, but a diving stop by Megan Favorite kept the Blazers in the lead. The Blazers next kicked hit the left post with a shot, and Favorite again came up with a huge save to keep the 1-0 lead going into the final round. First-year midfielder Alli O'Brien (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater)  pulled the same move as Paige Olson and placed in into the bottom right corner of the next to give the Blazers a 2-0 win in the shootout.

The Blazers will host #3 seeded Concordia at 1 pm on Saturday, November 5 in St. Joseph, Minn for the MIAC Final. Winner will automatically advance to the NCAA Tournament.