ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict soccer team made the MIAC Tournament field for the seventh time in the past nine seasons in 2018, and in 2019, the team looks to use the leadership and experience of a large senior class to not just make the tournament, but to advance in the tournament.
 
After finishing 8-7-1 overall and 7-3-1 and fifth in the MIAC a year ago, CSB was picked to finish third in the league in 2019 in the preseason poll that came out this week. With 10 seniors on the roster, head coach Steve Kimble has plenty of experience to put on the field with some talented younger players.
 
CSB kicks off the season with a pair of nonconference games, including a matchup against the top team in the WIAC a year ago, and one of the top teams in the nation. After hosting UW-Whitewater to open the season at noon Friday, Aug. 30, Saint Benedict hosts UW-La Crosse – which is currently ranked 17^th in Division III and made it to the third round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament – at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.
 
The team's schedule doesn't ease up after that, as CSB takes on Eau Claire – another tough WIAC team – before heading to Iowa to take on Wartburg and Luther.
 
Kimble has senior leadership on all sides of the ball, starting in the net with goalie Kendall Koenen. She had 78 saves a year ago, and earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention. She played 1,279 minutes in net as a junior and picked up eight wins. On the defensive side, Abby Welsch, Meghan Verkinderen and Sydney Sherek are back after earning honorable mention accolades last season. Verkindered led the team in minutes played and Welsch was third.
 
Megan Thompson isn't a senior, but she is the team's key offensive returner as she led Saint Benedict in goals (9), assists (5) and total points (23) as a sophomore last season. The league's Rookie of the Year in 2017, Thompson earned All-MIAC First Team honors in both soccer and basketball as a sophomore, and appears ready for another strong season. Sophomores Roxy Veldman and Clara Noack and senior Mara Flaherty will try to run with Thompson on offense to give the team plenty of scoring chances.
 
CSB kicks off MIAC play Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Concordia. The team's first home conference game is Saturday, Sept. 21, against Hamline.