Carleton Stats/Video | Wartburg Video

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After opening up their MIAC season with a 5-0 drubbing of Saint Mary's, the College of Saint Benedict soccer team (3-2-1, 1-0 MIAC) heads to Northfield this Saturday to play Carleton College (3-3-1, 1-1 MIAC). On Sunday they travel to Wartburg to round out their nonconference season with a match against the Knights.
 
The Schedule:
Saint Benedict at Carleton, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Northfield, Minn.
Saint Benedict at Wartburg, 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, Waverly, Iowa
 
The Records
CSB: 3-2-1 (1-0 MIAC)
Carleton: 3-3-1 (1-1 MIAC)
Wartburg: 6-2-0 (0-0 IIAC)
 
Who to Watch:
CSB:
Jr. F Taylor Hedin (Scored two goals and assisted another last weekend)
Sr. F Gracie Vaughan (Broke out of her early season scoreless streak with two goals against SMU)
Sr. D Ellie Mullen (Senior defender has been on the field longer than anyone else, had several breakaway-saving slide tackles against SMU and Luther)
 
CC:
Jr. M Ava Lewis (Leads the Knights with three goals and seven assists)
Sr. K Mikayla Coulombe (Three-time All-MIAC selection played in high school at Benilde-St. Margaret's with Blazer All-MIAC honorees Aly Hoffman and Peggy Renier)
Jr. D Caroline Sheffield (Leads the team with 93.3 minutes played per game)
 
WC:
So. F Morgan Neuendorf (Tied for third in the IIAC with six goals)
Sr. F Brittany Frush (Three goals and three assists through eight games)
So. K Beth Crow (two shutouts in five victories this season)
 
About Carleton
After finishing third in the MIAC, Carleton was picked to finish behind Saint Benedict at second-place in the MIAC. They are led by an experienced keeper in Coulombe and a stout defense which has given up 0.97 goals per game this season. Through two MIAC games, they have notched a victory over St. Catherine's and lost to No. 19 Augsburg.
 
About Wartburg
Led by an aggressive offensive attack, the Knights were picked to finish second in the IIAC this year. The Knights have won three straight, sparked by a 7-0 victory over Fontbonne University. Their high-powered offense is second in the IIAC with 2.9 goals scored per game. Although they have played well in eight non-conference games, they have yet to be tested in the competitive IIAC.
 
Storyline
Coulombe, Hoffman, and Renier all played together for the 2011 MSHSL runner-up Benilde St. Margaret's team. Renier and Coulombe were both named to the All-Tournament team that year. Despite that success, the three have proved that life does get better after high school, combining for seven All-MIAC awards in their collegiate careers.
 
The former teammates have played each other three times in college. In 2012, Hoffman scored the game-winner in double-overtime against Coulombe. In 2013, Renier scored once and then assisted the game-winner against Coulombe. Last year, Coulombe shutout the Blazers in a 2-0 Carleton victory. It seems that drama is the only guarantee when Hoffman, Renier and Coulombe step on the field. How will the three players round out their collegiate rivalry?
 
Last Time Out
In 2014, the Blazers traveled to Northfield riding a nine-game win streak and in first place in the MIAC. They were stumped by Coulombe and the Carleton Knights however, losing 2-0. Carleton's Ava Lewis scored the game-winner in that game.
 
The Blazers have played Wartburg each of the past eight years, and have put up a 3-4-1 record against the Knights in that time. The past two contests however, have gone to the Blazers. Last year Blazers defeated the Knights 1-0 at home. Gracie Vaughan scored the goal in that game.