Women's Soccer | 08/31/2016

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict soccer team starts 2016 with three home games in five days over the Labor Day weekend.
 
CSB starts the weekend Thursday, Sept. 1, with a game against UW-Eau Claire, then turns around and takes on Whitworth at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2. After two days off, CSB is back at it Monday against UW-Oshkosh.
 
Saint Benedict, which was picked to finish fifth in the MIAC preseason coach, enters 2016 with a new look after graduating seven seniors from its 2015 roster. This year's roster features 13 new faces with 11 first years and two new sophomores, and they look to fill in the gaps created by graduation. New faces to watch include midfielder Mara Flaherty and defender Sydney Sherek.
 
The Schedule:
Saint Benedict vs. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 4:30 p.m., Sept. 1, CSB Soccer Field
Saint Benedict vs. Whitworth University, 11:30 a.m., Sept. 2, CSB Soccer Field
Saint Benedict vs. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 3:30 p.m., Sept. 5, CSB Soccer Field
 
Preseason Conference Coaches Polls:
CSB: Fifth place, MIAC
Eau Claire: Fourth place, WIAC
Whitworth: Seventh place, NWC
Oshkosh: Third place, WIAC
   
About the Blugolds:
Eau Claire had a record of 6-10-3 in 2015 and made it to the semifinals of the WIAC postseason tournament. The Blugolds will have nine starters returning this season, but lost several key players, including both of their All-WIAC picks from last season. Returning to lead the offense are Shoua Khang and Sami Matuszak, and Sammie Lefaive is back in net after recording 79 saves last season.
 
About the Pirates:
Whitworth finished the 2015 season 6-11-3 overall and 4-9-3 in their conference. Of their 11 losses, however, seven came by a single goal. Sienna Tanner returns to lead the Pirates in the net after recording 23 saves and a 0.90 goals against average last season.
 
About the Titans:
Oshkosh had a record of 14-4-3 in 2015. The Titans will only have four returning starters this season after earning a berth in the NCAA National Tournament in 2015. Leading the way for Oshkosh in 2016 is senior Robyn Elliott, a three-time all-conference and all-region selection, and her twin sister, Rachel, who earned all-conference accolades in 2014.
 
Last Time:
The Blazers beat the Titans in Oshkosh last year 2-0. CSB defeated the Whitworth Pirates in their last meeting 1-0 in a 2014 tournament in Spokane, Wash.  Later in 2014, Saint Benedict beat the Blugolds 3-0 in Eau Claire.
 
The Storyline:
After a disappointing losing record of 7-8-2 in 2015, the Blazers have been waiting all spring and summer for a chance to get back into the MIAC playoffs. Last year CSB went 3-4 in home games. CSB will be a young team this year, with 11 first years on the team. Back to lead the team in 2016 is senior Taylor Hedin, who finished tied for the team lead in points, goals and assists as a junior and earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention. Heather Kaluzniak is also back after playing all 17 games in the net last season, and Brooke DeMets returns for her junior season after earning All-MIAC Honorable Mention accolades in 2014.