St. Joseph, Minn. -- The College of Saint Benedict soccer team (7-1, 2-0 MIAC) will attempt to extend its seven-game winning streak tomorrow (Sept. 27th) when they will host the Gusties of Gustavus Adolphus College (1-4-2, 0-1-1 MIAC). Head Coach Steve Kimble has gone 4-1 against the Gusties since he took over the program for the 2009 season.
 
The Schedule:
Gustavus at Saint Benedict, 1 p.m., Sept. 27th, Saint John's Practice Field, Collegeville, MN
 
The Records:
CSB: 7-1-0 (2-0-0 MIAC) (2-0 Home)
GAC: 1-4-2 (0-1-1 MIAC) (1-4 Away)
 
Who to Watch:
CSB:
Jr., D Megan Lenz (Two goals in two MIAC games are tied for second-most in conference, MIAC Player of the Week last week)
Jr., F Aly Hoffman (Had one goal and two assists Saturday against St. Olaf, leads team in goals, assists and points (4-4-12), those 12 points are fifth-best in the MIAC)
Sr. K Megan Favorite and So. K Heather Kaluzniak (The two Blazer keepers have combined for six clean sheets in eight games)
 
GAC:
So., F Maddison Ackiss (Second in MIAC with six goals, leads team with 13 points, scored three goals against Crown College on Tuesday)
Sr. K Caroline Olson (Leads the MIAC with 42 total saves)
Fy. M Molly Johnston (Scored deciding goal Tuesday against Crown)
 
About the Gusties:
After going winless through their first six games, the Gusties won their first game of the year in style this past Tuesday. They won the game 6-0, including a hat trick from sophomore forward Maddison Ackiss, who is the only Gustie to have scored multiple times this season.. She is part of a strong sophomore class that leads the team. As first-years last year, they accounted for 46 percent of Gustavus' offense.
 
Last Year:
In 2013, the Blazers traveled to St. Peter riding a six-game win streak. In that match the Blazers used six first-half corner kicks and a Gracie Vaughan header to take an early lead. They added an insurance goal in the second-half, and won the game 2-0. That win extended their winning streak to seven games, the longest Blazer win streak since they won 12 straight in 2007.
 
The Storyline:
A Blazer win would mark eight-straight wins and give the team momentum heading into next Wednesday's (Oct. 1st) against rival Macalester. Macalester was one of two teams that beat the Blazers in the regular season last year.
 
Coming out with confidence and putting the Gusties on their heels early will be the key to victory. The Blazers are undefeated this year when they score first, while the Gusties have never won a game after being scored on first. Watch for junior forwards Gracie Vaughan or Aly Hoffman to find a seam behind the struggling Gustie defense early in the half.
 
Last Time Out:
Last Saturday (Sept. 20th) the Blazers won their second straight MIAC match, clean sheeting the Oles of St. Olaf by a 3-0 margin. Hedin scored the first goal of the game in the 56th minute off an assist from Hoffman. Lenz added another goal in 76th minute, helping her win the MIAC Player of the Week Award. Hoffman assisted the first two goals of the game and then added a goal of her own late in the match, the fifth four-point-plus game of her career.