After a tough 0-2 loss to No. 14 Augsburg on Wednesday, the College of Saint Benedict soccer team (4-3-2, 2-1 MIAC) hits the road this weekend to play the Wildcats of St. Catherine's University (4-3-1, 1-2 MIAC).
Â
The Schedule:
Saint Benedict @ St. Catherine, 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3rd, St. Paul, Minn.
Â
The Records:
CSB: 4-3-2 (2-1 MIAC)
SCU: 4-3-1 (1-2 MIAC)
Â
Who to Watch:
CSB:
Sr. F Aly Hoffman (Leads the Blazers with four goals this season)
Sr. D Ellie Mullen (Last line of defense stopped several Auggie breakaways with spectacular sliding tackles on Wednesday)
Jr. F Taylor Hedin (Ranks third in the conference with 28 shots)
SCU:
Jr. M Hannah Okerstrom (Tied for first in the MIAC with six goals thus far)
Sr. F Elly Leyva (Leads the team with three assists)
Sr. K Danielle Mendez (Fifth in the conference with a 0.99 goals against average)
Â
About the Wildcats:
After finishing ninth in the conference last year, the Wildcats were again picked to finish towards the bottom of the conference in 2015. They are coming off a 0-2 loss to Macalester in which they were outshot 13-5 by the Knights. St. Catherine is led by a defense which gives up less than one goal per game (0.96). After losses to Macalester and Carleton, they will be seeking a home victory over the Blazers to climb into contention for the MIAC playoffs.
Â
Storyline:
On Wednesday, the Blazers outshot the Auggies 10-6 and controlled ball possession, despite the 0-2 loss. Although they dropped a game to Augsburg, the Blazers are still very much one of the favorites for the conference crown. A victory tomorrow would help keep them within a game of the conference leaders and keep them in contention for a MIAC title.
Â
Last Year:
In 2014 the Wildcats came to CSB in what was the second-to-last game of the season for both teams. The Blazers needed a victory to keep their MIAC playoff hopes alive. In the 62nd minute, senior forward Gracie Vaughan scored off a pass from Hoffman, giving the Blazers a 1-0 lead. Blazer keeper Heather Kaluzniak handled all five Wildcat shots on goal, and the Blazers won the game 1-0.
