St. Joseph, Minn. -- Junior forward Taylor Hedin scored twice in the first nine minutes, and the College of Saint Benedict soccer team rolled to a 4-1 victory over Hamline today (Oct. 24th). With the win, the Blazers improve to 7-6-2 (5-4 MIAC), and remain tied for fourth in the conference standings. With the loss, the Pipers drop to 4-10-1 (1-7-1 MIAC), and remain in 11th place in the 12-team conference.
 
Hedin gave the Blazers a lead just 90 seconds into the game, driving down the left side of the field and lobbing a shot over Piper keeper Amy Ramras. That goal was Hedin's sixth of the year and gave the Blazers a 1-0 lead.
 
Seven minutes later, Hedin was driving down the same spot of the field again when a Piper defender inside the box tackled her. The referee signaled a foul, and Hedin was awarded a penalty kick. The keeper guesses right, Hedin went left, and the Blazers took a 2-0 lead. That goal was Hedin's seventh, and briefly made her the Blazers' leading goal scorer this season.
 
Two minutes after her second goal, Hedin created another scoring opportunity, but this time sent a pass to senior forward Aly Hoffman, who kicked the ball past the keeper to give the Blazers a commanding 3-0 lead. That goal was Hoffman's seventh of the year, which moved her into a tie with Hedin for the team lead in goals scored.
 
In the 36th minute, the Pipers found an answer to the Blazer offense. Piper forward Jasmine Lee struck a shot that hit the crossbar and dropped down into the net to bring the score to 3-1.
 
Early in the second half, senior midfielder Peggy Renier scored her long-awaited first goal of the season, and gave the Blazers a 4-1 lead they would hold onto for the rest of the game.
 
The Blazers outshot the Pipers 21-7, their second-high shot total this season. Hoffman led the way with six shots for the Blazers, including three shots on goal.
 
Junior keeper Heather Kaluzniak made four saves on five Piper shots on goal to pick up her seventh victory of the season.
 
Blazer soccer returns to action this Wednesday, when they will travel to St. Paul to play rival Macalester. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.