The No. 24 College of Saint Benedict soccer team (11-2, 5-1 MIAC) will host St. Thomas (6-5-1, 5-2 MIAC) tomorrow (Oct. 14th) in a matchup with large MIAC implications. The two teams are currently tied for third-place in the conference and trail first-place Concordia by four points.
Â
The Schedule:
Saint Benedict vs. St. Thomas, 4 p.m., Oct. 14th, Saint John's Fields, Collegeville, MN
Â
The Records:
CSB: 11-2-0 (5-1-0 MIAC) (5-0 Home)
UST: 6-5-1 (5-2 MIAC) (2-4 Away)
Â
Who to Watch:
CSB:
Jr. F Aly Hoffman (Ranks fifth in the MIAC with 14 points, leads team with five goals)
Jr. MF Megan Lenz (Former defender has exhibited impeccable shot selection, putting 14 of 20 shots on goal (.700) this season)
So. K Heather Kaluzniak (Leads MIAC with 0.939 save percentage, responded to loss against Carleton with two straight shutouts)
Â
UST:
Sr. F Morgan McConachie (Leads team with five goals, four assists)
So. K Tarynn Theiliq (Ranks third in the MIAC with 48 saves)
Jr. F Sydney Presley (Scored twice in Saturday's win over Gustavus)
Â
About the Tommies:
After graduating three All-MIAC performers from last year's squad, the Tommies were picked to finish tied for fifth in the coaches' preseason poll. After losing four of their first five, they have been hot as of late, with their only loss over the past seven games coming at the hands of first-place Concordia. Key to the season turnaround has been the Tommie defense, which has ceded only three goals in the past seven games.
Â
Last Year:
In 2013, the Blazers came off a 7-0 victory over Bethel and dropped a game on the road to St. Thomas. The Tommies scored early goals in both halves of that game, and beat the Blazers 2-1. That was one of only three losses for the 2013 Blazers, and their only regular-season road loss of the season.
Â
The Storyline:
Although all games are given equal weight in the standings, this game will have enlarged postseason implications for both sides. With both teams trailing first-place Concordia by four points, the winner will keep pace a half-step behind the leaders and stay in contention for the first-place crown. The loser on the other hand, risks falling out of one of the conference's six playoff spots. With both teams boasting sturdy defenses, look for the team who scores first to control the pace of the game.
Â
Last Time Out:
On Saturday, the Blazers hosted the Royals of Bethel University. First-year Sydney Bramer scored her first goal of her collegiate career to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead midway through the first half. A few minutes later, Hoffman took a pass from first-year Kelsey Tatarek to seal a 2-0 victory. Kaluzniak made five saves to secure the clean sheet.
