ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict soccer team opened its new stadium in style Sunday afternoon. In the team's first-ever home game on turf, CSB shut out UW-River Falls 1-0 in St. Joseph, Minn.
 
The win marked the fifth of the season for Saint Benedict, which was able to bounce back after a loss – its first of the season – to St. Thomas Saturday afternoon. CSB is now 5-1 overall after Sunday's game, which marked the final nonconference matchup of the season for CSB.
 
Despite 13 first-half shots on net by CSB, the both teams were scoreless at halftime. Several of Saint Benedict's first-half shots were blocked by River Falls defenders, and the Falcons' goalie made four saves.
 
In the 65^th minute of the game, first year Megan Thompson came in clutch for CSB once again, scoring her sixth goal of the season to put her team up 1-0. Sydney Sherek passed the ball to Thompson in the box, and Thompson dribbled past UWRF's keeper for a wide-open look at the net.
 
River Falls (2-4) had a handful of shots in the final 15 minutes of the game, but they were all wide or blocked and CSB was able to hang on for the win.
 
CSB had 26 shots to River Falls' 12, and Saint Benedict had a 9-3 edge in shots on net. Goalie Kendall Koenen made three saves for CSB to preserve the shutout and pick up her fifth win of the season.
 
Saint Benedict is back at home and back on its new turf field Wednesday, Sept. 20, when it returns to MIAC play against Augsburg. After the 4 p.m. game, CSB is on the road Saturday when it takes on St. Olaf in Northfield.