ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After playing a pair of ranked games on the East Coast last weekend, the College of Saint Benedict soccer team is at home for the first time in 2018 Saturday, Sept. 8, when it hosts Wartburg – a perennially tough regional foe – at 1 p.m. at the new turf field across College Ave.
 
About the Knights
Wartburg is 2-0 after starting its season with wins against Macalester and UW-River Falls last weekend. The Knights got goals from six different players as they scored eight goals in two games. Molly Close and Kate Luers each scored twice to lead the team, and four players had one goal each. Emma Strong and Hayley Krogh have split time in net.
 
Last Meeting
CSB and Wartburg didn't play last season, so this marks the first meeting of the two since Sept. 11, 2016. The Knights won that game 2-0 in Waverly, Iowa, thanks to a pair of second-half goals. Shots were fairly even in that match, with the Knights holding a 17-12 edge, including 11-9 in shots on net.
 
Storyline
Saint Benedict looks to put a notch in the win column for the first time this season after a pair of tough losses to ranked opponents last weekend. CSB is also still looking to score its first goal of the new year after being kept off the scoreboard last weekend. Both teams are also trying to gain some momentum as each of their conference openers looms closer on the schedule.
 
Who to Watch
First year Kayli Thulin took over in net midway through the first half against a tough Christopher Newport team Saturday in Virginia, and had a solid collegiate debut with five saves. Maren Noble and Megan Thompson each put up two shots over the weekend, and both of Thompson's were on net. Junior goalie Kendall Koenen is also back this season after earning All-MIAC Honorable Mention accolades in 2017.