ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After a big home win Saturday afternoon against Saint Mary's, the College of Saint Benedict soccer team was looking to use that momentum Sunday afternoon in a regional matchup against a tough Luther College squad.
 
The two teams scored within two minutes of each other in the first half and played a very evenly matched game throughout, but a late goal by Luther was all the edge either team needed. The Norse won 2-1, handing CSB just its second loss of the season.
 
After 25 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Norse (6-1) got on the board first in the 26^th minute when Lauren Hughes scored on a header off a corner kick by Ellie Bunz.
 
Saint Benedict allowed Luther to hold onto its lead for less than two minutes when Taylor Hedin got the ball, faked a shot to draw the keeper out and calmly kicked the ball in the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1 in the 28^th minute.
 
The Norse had the chance to take a 2-1 lead in the 33^rd minute when they were assessed a penalty kick, but CSB keeper Heather Kaluzniak made the save on the kick by Madeline Knutson to keep the game tied at 1-1.
 
The score stayed tied until the 78^th minute. Melissa Chasse took a shot for the Norse, and Kaluzniak made the save but it bounced off of her and back to Ellie Bunz, who kicked the ball over Kaluzniak to make it 2-1 with just under 12 minutes left in the game.
 
The Blazers had chances to tie in the final 11 minutes as Ali Ryan-Mosley had a shot on net and Hedin had a shot that was saved and another that went wide, but Luther held on for the win.
 
CSB had 13 shots to Luther's 12, but the Norse finished with an 8-6 edge in shots on goal. Hedin finished with three shots on net to lead the CSB offense. Kaluzniak made six saves for the Blazers.
 
Saint Benedict is on the road next Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27, when it takes on Carleton and Wartburg. CSB plays Carleton at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Northfield and Wartburg at 2 p.m. Sunday in Waverly, Iowa.