By Teddy Menor
Box Score COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict soccer team notched its fifth consecutive win and fifth win of the season Saturday when it defeated the Loras College Duhawks 3-1.
The win was important for two reasons for the Blazers, who currently own a 5-1 record and are on the verge of the top 25 rankings as they are receiving votes. First, it pushed the Blazers' winning streak to five games heading into conference play, and second it avenged one of CSB's three losses from 2013. Loras beat Saint Ben's 2-0 in an NCAA Tournament game last November in Wheaton, Ill.
The Blazers opened the first half with a great defensive showing that kept the game tied at 0 until the Duhawks broke through for a goal to put the score at 1-0 in the 11
th minute of the game. The Blazers later tied the game at 1-1 with a goal from
Taylor Hedin, and
Aly Hoffman was credited with the assist.
Gracie Vaughan and
Megan Lenz led the offense in the first half with three shots each and
Heather Kaluzniak had two saves.
In the second half, the Blazer defense started out strong as it successfully shut down the Duhawks' offense. Saint Benedict outshot the Duhawks 16-7 in the second half and dominated possession.
Peggy Reiner scored her second goal of the season with an assist from
Kelsey Tatarek, just eight minutes into the half to give the Blazers a 2-1 lead. From there, the Blazer offense took off and extended their lead to 3-1 after an unassisted goal from Tatarek.
Saint Ben's out shot Loras 28-13, including a 16-5 edge in shots on goal.
Megan Favorite and Kaluzniak both made two saves for the Blazers.
The Blazers play Hamline in St. Paul on Tuesday, Sept. 16. This will be their first MIAC matchup of the season and they will face the only remaining undefeated team in the MIAC. Hamline enters the contest 4-0-1.
