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The Streak Continues: The Saint Benedict soccer team will look to improve upon its undefeated record (6-0-1, 2-0-0 MIAC) tomorrow when they will travel to St. Peter to take on the Gustavus Adolphus Gusties (4-3-0, 0-3-0). The Blazers six game winning streak is tied for the team's longest under Head Coach
Steve Kimble. They last won six straight games during the 2009 season. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
About the Gusties: After being picked to finish 11th out of the conference's 12 teams, the Gusties started the season strong, winning three of their first four games. Since then however, they opened their MIAC season with a 2-1 loss to Carleton and then suffered a 2-0 loss to Concordia a few days later. They are led by the MIAC's third-most potent scoring attack, averaging 1.9 goals per game. On the defensive side of the ball they have given up 1.6 goals per game, third-worst in the MIAC.
Last Year: Last year the Gusties came to St. Joseph and upset the Blazers, who were the clear favorite in the game. Then-senior forward Maggie Lane scored twice in the first half to give the Gusties a quick 2-0 lead against the Blazers. Then-first-year
Aly Hoffman (Chaska, Minn.) responded to Lane's second goal by quickly scoring off a pass by
Colleen Bouchard (Cedar Rapids, Iowa). The Blazers outshot the Gusties 11-to-2 the rest of the way but could not find a way to beat Gustie keeper Jessica Richert. Richert graduated and will not be in net this year.
The Storyline: Can the Blazers go to St. Peter and avenge last year's home loss to the Gusties to improve upon their six-game winning streak? The Blazers opened the week ranked No. 21 in the country and would like to crack the top 20 with a solid win against the Gusties. They will also need a win to stay on par with the MIAC's other undefeated team, Augsburg, if they are going to challenge them for the MIAC regular season title.
Who to Watch: Senior forward
Colleen Bouchard (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) has netted a point in all but one of the Blazes seven games this year. Last Saturday against St. Olaf she scored her third goal of the year. Her six assists and 12 points are both team-highs. Sophomore forwards Grace Vaughan (Shakopee, Minn.) and
Aly Hoffman (Chaska, Minn.) are tied for the team-lead with four goals apiece. The combination of Vaughan, Hoffman, and Bouchard up front is arguably the MIAC's most dangerous offensive attack and is sure to give the Gusties nightmares as they game-plan for tomorrow's game. First-year Keeper Heather Kaluzniak (Plymouth, Minn.) notched her third shutout in her sixth game of the year in net for the Blazers. Her 0.77 GAA is third-best in the MIAC while .875 Sv% is the best in the conference.
Last Time Out: Last Saturday (Sept. 21) the Blazers traveled to Northfield to take on the Oles in their second MIAC matchup of the year. In the 24th minute of the game, Bouchard scored the game's only goal, scoring off an assist from
Peggy Renier (Plymouth, Minn.). The Blazers outshot the Oles 16-to-7. The defensive back line held the Oles' offense at bay, so that Kaluzniak had to make only three saves on the day.
Kickin' for the Cause: Saturday will be the Gusties second annual YUWA charity game. YUWA is a nationally based non-profit organization that reaches out to rural girls in India. The organization uses team sports as a way to empower young women and give them the confidence and ability to make a change in their world. Find out more at:
http://www.yuwa-india.org/
