St. Joseph, Minn. -- One team was overwhelmingly picked to win the MIAC. The other team surged early in the season, and is currently the only nationally ranked team in the MIAC. Both teams are undefeated in the MIAC. Tomorrow (Sept. 30th), those two teams will collide when the College of Saint Benedict soccer team (4-2-2, 2-0 MIAC) host the No. 14 Augsburg Auggies (6-1, 2-0) in a battle for control of the MIAC.
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The Schedule:
Saint Benedict vs. Augsburg, 4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 30th, CSB Soccer Field, St. Joseph, Minn.
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The Records:
CSB: 4-2-2 (2-0 MIAC)
AUG: 6-1-0 (2-0 MIAC)
Who to Watch:
CSB:
Sr. F Aly Hoffman | Fourth in the MIAC with four goals this year
Jr. F Taylor Hedin | Scored the game-winner in double-OT against Augsburg in 2013
Jr. K Heather Kaluzniak | Ranks second in the MIAC in save percentage (.824) and goals against average (0.71)
AUG:
Jr. M Marta Anderson | Leads the country with nine assists already this year
Sr. F Marie Fitzgerald | Leads the MIAC with six goals through seven goals
So. K Marissa Guillo | Leads the MIAC with in save percentage (.824) and goals against average (0.64)
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About Augsburg:
After winning the MIAC last year, the Auggies lost All-American midfielder Molly Allen and MIAC Player of the Year Olivia Muyres to graduation. Despite the losses of those team leaders, the Auggies have not missed a beat on the offensive or defensive side of the ball. Through seven games, they lead the conference both in goals scored per game (4.3) and goals conceded per game (0.4). Their only loss of the season came at the hands of Wisconsin Eau-Claire, a game in which they lost 2-0 despite outshooting the Blugolds 17-8.
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Storyline:
The Blazers and the Auggies have arguably been the top two teams in the MIAC the past few seasons. The Blazers have won conference championships in 2011 and 2013. The Auggies won their first MIAC championship in 2014. Head Coaches Mike Navarre (2014) and Steve Kimble (2011, 2013) have taken home three of the past four MIAC Coach of the Year awards. This year, Saint Benedict was picked by conference coaches to win the MIAC, yet it was Augsburg that had a much stronger nonconference season and is now ranked No. 14 in the country. Simply put, this could likely be a preview of the conference championship game, and should be one of the MIAC's best games of the season. Whichever team wins will head into the heart of the season with the inside track on the MIAC crown.
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Last Year:
In 2014, the Blazers traveled to Minneapolis in late October riding a three-game win streak and seeking a victory to assert themselves as the conference leaders. Unfortunately, the MIAC Player of the Year had different plans that day. Muyres scored three goals in the second half, and the Auggies rolled to a 3-0 victory over the Blazers. Despite being shutout 3-0, the Blazers outshot the Auggies 22-12 and 10-8 in shots on goal.
