The MIAC-favorite College of Saint Benedict (2-1-1) soccer team begins its campaign to bring the MIAC trophy back to St. Joseph tomorrow (Sept. 19th), when they will host the Cardinals of St. Mary's University (2-3). On Sunday, the Blazers will return to the non-conference schedule and host Luther College (5-1).
 
The Weekend Schedule:
Saint Benedict vs. Saint Mary's, 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19, CSB Soccer Field, St. Joseph, Minn.
Saint Benedict vs. Luther College, 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, CSB Soccer Field, St. Joseph, Minn.
 
The Records:
CSB: 2-1-1 (0-0 MIAC)
SMU: 2-3 (0-1 MIAC)
LC: 5-1 (0-0 IIAC)
 
Who to Watch:
CSB:
Sr. F Aly Hoffman | Leads the team with three goals
So. M Jenna Kleason | Has stepped up to play significant minutes in the middle of the field in her second year, scored the game-winner against UW-Oshkosh
Sr. F Gracie Vaughan | Electrifying forward is known for coming up in the clutch. She is due to score in two important games this weekend
 
SMU:
Jr. M Emma Schaefer | Two-sport All-MIAC athlete leads the team with three goals and seven points
So. F Emily Loof | Lead team in points in 2014 as a first-year, leads team with two assists this year
Sr. D Katie Slaght | Defensive leader has played nearly every minute of every game for SMU, averaging 88.2 minutes per game
 
LC:
Jr. F Melisse Chasse | Leads the team with four goals, four assists and 12 points through six games
Jr. GK Lauren Thormodsgard | Leads the IIAC with a 0.33 GAA
Jr. M Ellie Bunz | Two-time all-IIAC selection is second on team with two goals and one assist
 
 
About Saint Mary's:
After a difficult 2014 campaign in which they went winless in the MIAC, the Cardinals started 2015 with a couple rays of hope in dynamic goal-scorers Emily Loof and Emma Schaefer. Those two players combined to score 18 goals last season. This year, Loof leads the team in assists while Schaefer leads the team in goals. Their 2015 season has already seen some distinct highs and lows. The high was a 4-0 victory over UW-Superior, while the lows have been a 0-3 loss to Luther and a 0-1 loss to Augsburg in their MIAC opener.
 
Loras College:
The Norse finished fifth in the eight-team IIAC last year, but were picked to finish third in the coaches' preseason poll, including three first place votes. They return six of their top eight goal-scorers from last season, including Melisse Chasse, who led the team with nine goals. They are off to a hot start in 2015, winning their past past four games. They are led by a stout defense which has given up just one goal in six games this season.
 
The Storyline:
After a disappointing loss to nonconference-rival Loras last weekend, the Blazers will look to use this weekend to trek into the national rankings. Although the Blazers were picked to win the MIAC, Augsburg is the only MIAC which has been ranked in the Division III national rankings. A victory over a conference opponent and then a victory over one of the IIAC's top-ranked teams could help vault the Blazers into the national spotlight.
 
Last Year:
In 2014, the Blazers traveled to Saint Mary's needing a win to move into a first-place tie with Augsburg in the MIAC standings. Just 30 seconds into that game, Taylor Hedin gave the Blazers a lead they would never relinquish, scoring off an assist from Nicole Bauer. Later in the first half, Reina Nelson added another goal off an assist from Kelsey Tatarek and Gracie Vaughan. The Blazers have not faced Luther since 2013, when they traveled to Iowa and defeated them 1-0 in overtime. Vaughan scored the game-winner in that game.