St. Joseph, Minn. - The Saint Benedict Blazers dropped their first game of the season today, losing 1-0 to Macalester in a rainy Wednesday afternoon contest in St. Joseph. The loss ends a career-high seven game winning-streak for Head Coach
Steve Kimble and drops the Blazers record to 7-1-1 (3-1-0 MIAC) on the season. With the win the Scots improve to 4-3-0 (2-2-0 MIAC).
The Blazers shot out of the gates, firing four shots from inside the box on their first possession (three of them from senior midfielder
Laura Kosch), but were unable to sneak one past the crowded Macalester defense.
With 4:10 to play in the half, senior forward
Colleen Bouchard was set to take a corner kick until a bolt of lightning struck across the sky, and the game was sent into a 56-minute postponement.
After the delay the Blazers came out ready to fight through the rain, nearly scoring on a shot by first-year forward Taylor Hedin that sailed just high, ending the half at a 0-0 tie.
Just 33 seconds into the second half senior midfielder Bonnie Gale took a pass from senior forward Georgia Cleopfil and gave the Scots a 1-0 lead. The goal was Gale's first of the year while the assist was the sixth of the year for Cleopfil, moving her into a tie for second place among the conference's leaders.
The Blazers created several great scoring opportunities in the second-half but the slippery ball wasn't able to find the net as the rain continued to pour.
With 15 minutes to play in the half, sophomore forward
Aly Hoffman sent a low cross through the box that just sailed past the outstretched foot of sophomore forward
Valerie Clintsman and rolled out of bounds. Unfortunately that was as close as the Blazers would come, and the game ended in a 1-0 victory for the Scots.
With the win, the Scots improve to 11-5-5 all-time against the Blazers. They remain the only team in the MIAC that has a winning record against Saint Benedict.
The Blazers return to MIAC action this Saturday (Oct. 5) at 1 p.m. when they will play host to the Carleton Knights.
