Today (Sept. 22), the Gustavus women's soccer team will travel to St. Joseph, Minn. to take on Saint Benedict as the Blazers look to maintain their perfect conference record. After defeating conference powerhouses Carleton and Macalaster last week, the Gusties will still present a tough challenge for the Blazers. The Blazers are currently in a four-way tie for first place in the MIAC, and another win this Saturday would help set them apart at the top of the conference standings.

The Schedule:
Gustavus at Saint Benedict, 1 p.m., Sept. 22, St. Joseph, Minn.

The Records:
Saint Benedict: 3-1-2, 2-0-0 MIAC
Gustavus: 2-4-0, 0-2-0 MIAC

CSB:
Jr. Forward Colleen Bouchard (Tied for lead in conference with 4 assists thus far, 2011 MIAC Most Valuable Player)
FY Forward Alyssa Hoffman (Leads team with 9 points, 4 goals & 1 assist)
Jr. Midfielder Kaitlyn Lauer (Played in all 23 games in 2011 for the Blazers, earning All-MIAC honors)
So. Keeper Megan Favorite (552 min, 5 GA,  0.82 GAA, 0.844 Sv%, 3-1-2)

GAC:
Jr. Forward Amanda Cartony (2011 All-Conference Honorable Mention, leads team with 3 goals this year.)
Sr. Goalkeeper Jessica Richert (Returning captain, 531 min, 9 GA, 1.53 GAA, .809 sv%, 2-4)
Sr. Defender Nikki Carlson (Returning captain)

Last time out:
Last Saturday the Blazers went on the road to put down last year's conference co-champions Carleton, 1-0. They traveled back home Sunday to notch a bittersweet 2-2 double overtime tie with then No. 22 Wartburg. The Blazers went up 2-0 on two goals from Alyssa Hoffman, but it wasn't enough as the Knights came back to tie. The Knights pulled it within one off of a penalty-kick goal mid-way through the second-half, and scored an equalizing goal with less than a minute to play in regulation.

About the Gusties:
Early in coach Laura Burnett-Kurie's first season the Gusties have had mixed results. After dropping her first two games Burnett-Kurie got her first win at Gustavus in dramatic style, trouncing Martin Luther by a score of 7-0. The Gusties have since gone 1-2 and will look to snap a two-game losing streak against the Blazers.

Matchup:
This match will be a test of Saint Benedict's ability to play well against teams that they should beat on paper. The Gusties have had trouble keeping teams out of the net, allowing 1.50 goals against this season. They will have their hands full with the Blazers' high powered offense which features reigning Co-MIAC Most Valuable Bouchard and reigning MIAC Player of the week Hoffman. It will be interesting to see how the Gusties respond to the toughest offense they have defended against this season.