ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After an overtime win Saturday afternoon, the College of Saint Benedict soccer team wasn't taking any chances with extra time Wednesday afternoon.
 
In the team's MIAC opener, CSB scored twice in the first half and once in the second to defeat Concordia 3-0 to start the conference season on the team's home field. That marks the first shutout of the season for Saint Benedict, and evens the team's record at 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the MIAC.
 
Senior Sydney Sherek got the scoring started for CSB with the team's first goal of the game in the 19^th minute. Nicole Newman sent a pass to Megan Thompson who sent the ball to Sherek, who tapped it into the net to put CSB up 1-0.
 
Saint Benedict went up 2-0 in the 26^th minute when Megan Thompson – who led the team in scoring last season – scored the first goal of her sophomore year. She took a long pass from Clara Noack and dribbled the ball past the Cobbers' keeper for an easy tap in and a two-goal lead for CSB.
 
The score stayed 2-0 through halftime, but Thompson added her second goal of the year and wrapped up scoring for the game five minutes into the second half when she took another long pass – this one from first year Hallie Roberts – and went one-on-one with a defender before she shot the ball into the bottom-left corner of the net.
 
When all was said and done, CSB held a 10-9 edge in shots over Concordia (3-2, 0-1), including an 8-3 margin in shots on net. Sophomore Kendall Koenen made two saves and first year Kayli Thulin added one to help preserve the team's shutout. Thompson finished with three shots on net to lead CSB.
 
CSB continues its busy week Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16, when it takes on a pair of tough opponents. Saint Benedict travels to St. Paul to take on No. 16 St. Thomas before hosting UW-Eau Claire at 2 p.m. Sunday.