St. Joseph, Minn. – The Saint Benedict soccer team opened the home season in fine fashion today (Sept. 15), beating Wisconsin-Stout, 3-0, on the strength of the first career two-goal game from Grace Vaughan (Shakopee, Minn.).
And it didn't take long, as just 1:01 into the game the Blazers put themselves ahead.
Megan Lenz (Lino Lakes, Minn.) lined up a corner off the left side of the goal, but her serve in was deflected and found its way to
Kristina Burk (Westminster, Colo.). Burk then centered the ball to a wide open Vaughan who was waiting in the center of the box.
She easily tapped the ball up and under the cross bar for the game's opening goal. It was her second goal of the season, and second straight game-winner.
She got back in the mix late in the game, adding some insurance with her second of the day to put the Blazers up 3-0. The ball was loose in front of the net, coming off a rebound from the goalkeeper's right side. Vaughan was attacking the net and beat the keeper to the ball, sneaking it inside the near post.
After Vaughan's early goal, the Blazers continued to control the first half play, keeping the ball deep in the attacking zone. Later in the period,
Peggy Renier (Plymouth, Minn.) hit a streaking
Aly Hoffman (Chaska, Minn.) up the right sideline who out-sprinted the defender, getting an edge on her before the two got to the corner.
Hoffman then sent her a shot across the front of the goal, with perfect placement, getting past the outstretch hand of the keeper, but sneaking inside the far post.
Up 2-0 with just over two minutes left in the first half there was a scary moment for the Blazers. A high arcing shot from the Blue Devils nearly went in, but was tipped away by goalkeeper Heather Kalunizak (Plymouth, Minn.), only to see a rebound shot bounce hard off the cross bar. Luckily when it landed the Blazers defense was on the spot to knock it away and kill the threat.
With 28 minutes to go in the match, Kaluzniak came up big again, preserving her second straight shutout. She was able to tip another quality attempt over the cross bar, after the Blue Devils got off a clear shot from about 25 yards out.
She finished with a career high saves on the day, and stay's unbeaten in her rookie season.
The Blazers now turn right around to begin MIAC play, but get to stay at home to do so, hosting Hamline at 4 p.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 17). The Pipers enter the game at 2-2-1, but are riding a two-game winning streak, winning each of their last two games 4-0.
Last season in St. Paul, Minn., the Blazers came out ahead 3-2 in double overtime.
