Results
The College of Saint Benedict Blazer soccer team (13-6-3 overall) beat #9 ranked in the nation Loras College (18-3-1 overall), 2-1 Sunday afternoon. This win sends the Blazers to the sweet sixteen for the first time since 1998.
In one of the most anticipated games of the season, the Blazers, who have only lost twice in their past 16 games, were playing Loras who was ranked #9 in the nation. Loras dominated the offensive side of the ball the entire first half. They recorded eight shots in the first half, while the Blazers only recorded two.
Loras struck first only nine minutes into the first half when Kate Young headed one in, off a corner from Jayne Elsinger, to give Loras a 1-0 lead. The Blazers answered during the 44 minute when sophomore forward
Colleen Bouchard (Cedar Rapids, IA, Xavier) laced one perfectly into the top right corner of the net from 18 yards out to tie the game 1-1.
The second half was also characterized by Loras dominating the offensive side of the ball. They took nine corners in the second half alone, and also took another 8 shots, while the Blazers again only mustered two. However, the statement, “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships” came into play. Senior defenders
Sami Meyman (Inver Grove Heights, MN, Simley), Stephanie Gibbs (Plymouth, MN, Robbinsdale Armstrong) and
Kelsey Faber (Eden Prairie, MN, Eden Prairie) shut down many scoring opportunities for Loras. During the 64-minute first year midfielder
Heidi Hanson (Westminster, CO, Holy Family) scored off a rebound that Loras's goalkeeper dropped. Her goal was from eight yards out to give the Blazers a 2-1 lead. This was all the Blazers needed to beat the ninth ranked team in the nation.
The Blazers now advance to the Sweet Sixteen which will be played November 18 and 19. They will play the winner of the Washington-St. Louis vs. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which takes place tonight at 6 pm.
