The College of Saint Benedict Blazer Soccer team (13-7-3 overall) ended their incredible season Friday, November 18 after a 2-1 loss to #12 Washington
University (18-4 overall).

The Blazers playoff run could be summarized as a Cinderella story. It started by beating Macalester 2-0 in a shootout in the first game of the MIAC playoffs. They then defeated Concordia, who the Blazers lost to a week earlier, 1-0 with five seconds left in overtime in the MIAC finals. Next, they snuck past Carroll University 5-4 in a shootout during the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Lastly, they downed #9 Loras College 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Blazers post-season was everything it could have been. They played with tremendous heart, determination, and tenacity all season, but all good things come to an end.

Coming off a tremendous 2-1 win over #9 Loras College, the Blazers were set to play another top #25 ranked team in Washington University. The Blazers were most likely going to be the underdog from this point on in the tournament, as no one but Blazer fans thought they would make it this far. They showed they could compete with anyone all season, and they came ready to play Friday. Senior forward Heather Beshears (Maple Grove, MN, Maple Grove) scored an unassisted goal, her seventh of the season, in the first three minutes of the game to give the Blazers an early 1-0 lead. First-Year Megan Favorite (Maple Grove, MN, Maple Grove) kept the Blazers in the game the first half as she recorded eight saves eight shots on goal to keep the score 1-0 Blazers at the half.

The Blazers knew that they were only 45 minutes away from advancing to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, but Washington University had different ideas. CSB held their own for the first 75 minutes of the contest, but the last 15 were all Washington. Washington's Lauren Steimle scored off a shot deflection from three yards out to tie the game 1-1. Only eight minutes later, Lee Ann Felder scored off a corner kick for Washington to give them a 2-1 lead with only five minutes remaining. The Blazers made a few final pushes in the closing minutes but no great scoring opportunities presented themselves. The game ended 2-1 in favor of Washington University. The Blazers were outshot 23-9 in the game, but as always defense is the key. Megan Favorite recorded 10 saves overall, and Heather Beshears scored her seventh goal of the season.

Congratulations to the Blazers on a tremendous season. Thank you seniors Heather Beshears, Olivia Wee (Savage, MN, Juan Diego),  Stephanie Gibbs (Plymouth, MN, Robbinsdale Armstrong), Sami Meyman (Inver Grove Heights, MN, Simley), and Kelsey Faber (Eden Prairie, MN, Eden Prairie) for all of your hard work and effort over the course of your great college careers. You will be missed.