ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The Blazers' second home game of the year will be a good early test for the team. Loras was ranked in the top 25 last week, and sits just below Saint Ben's in the North Region rankings. Today's game is also a rematch of the 2013 NCAA Tournament First-Round game in Wheaton, Ill.
 
About the Duhawks: Loras is 4-3 so far this season, including 1-1 against ranked opponents. The Duhawks beat No. 19 UW-Whitewater 1-0, but lost 2-0 to No. 4 Washington-St. Louis. Loras enters Sunday's game coming off a 3-0 shutout of St. Olaf College Saturday afternoon. The Duhawks were ranked 22nd in the NCAA Division III in the first poll of the season released Sept. 2, but dropped out of the poll this week. They are currently ranked fourth in the NSCAA North Region, just below the Blazers.
 
Last Year: Loras and Saint Benedict met up last November in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and the Duhawks put an end to the Blazers' season. CSB entered the game on a seven-match winning streak, but Loras scored two unanswered goals - one in the 37th minute and one in the 52nd minute - to win 2-0 and put an end to the Blazers' streak and season. Loras outshot the Blazers 12-8, including a 9-3 edge in shots on goal, in the postseason meeting. The Duhawks went on to the second round of the tournament, where they fell 3-2 to host-school Wheaton.
 
The Storyline: Can the Blazers extend their four-match winning streak, pick up a fifth shutout and avenge their NCAA Tournament loss from last season? After losing a 1-0 game to start the season, CSB has won four straight - all by shutout. That momentum, paired with playing in front of a home crowd, could be huge against
Loras, a traditionally strong soccer program. A win today would also give the Blazers extra momentum heading into the conference season, which opens Tuesday.
 
Who to Watch: Gracie Vaughan and Aly Hoffman each have three goals for the Blazers so far this season, and lead the CSB offense with seven points each. The duo is also tied for third in the league in total goals. Sophomore goalie Heather Kaluzniak has been outstanding in the net for the Blazers. She has 14 saves, a 0.00 goals-against average and hasn't given up a goal yet this season. The Blazer defense has also been solid as CSB has given up just 19 shots on goal in five games played so far in 2014.
 
Last Time Out: CSB picked up its fourth straight shutout Saturday afternoon when it beat Wartburg (Iowa) 1-0. Gracie Vaughan scored the only goal of the game in the sixth minute, and Megan Favorite made two saves to preserve the win and the shutout for the Blazers.