ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – In 2018-19, the College of Saint Benedict hockey team won more games in one season than it had in the previous to seasons combined. In 2019-20, the team looks to build on that win total and continue to make improvements.
 
Saint Benedict won seven games in head coach Nick Thibault's first season at the helm – a five-win improvement from the year before, and a three-win improvement from 2016-17. In his first full year of recruiting, Thibault added eight first years to his roster, and hopes that their talent, along with several key returners, adds up to more wins for the team this season.
 
Leading the way offensively for CSB in 2019-20 will be senior Courtney Conlin. An All-MIAC Honorable Mention pick a year ago, she led the team with 14 points on eight goals and six assists. Eight goals as a junior was the most in a season for Conlin, and six assists was also a career-high.
 
Also back for CSB is sophomore Julia Pias, who finished second on the team last season with 12 points on seven goals and five assists. Sophomore Annika Brodt also returns after recording a team-high eight assists as a first year, and Riley Schneider is back for her junior season after scoring five goals and notching five assists as a sophomore.
 
Saint Benedict has two solid returners in net in junior Kailee Medved and sophomore Maggie Gilchrist. Both picked up three wins last season, and Medved earned MIAC Athlete of the Week honors after making 40 saves against a tough Augsburg squad. Medved finished her sophomore year with 324 saves, and Gilchrist had 155 saves in just under 330 minutes of action as a first year.
 
CSB kicks off 2019-20 Friday, Nov. 1, with a nonconference home game against Concordia. After that first game, CSB gets a weekend off before opening MIAC play Friday, Nov. 15, at home against Bethel. Saint Benedict hosts a pair of weekend series this season: it hosts Finlandia Jan. 10-11, and Saint Mary's Feb. 21-22 to end the regular season.