ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater soccer team had an answer for almost everything the College of Saint Benedict threw at it Friday afternoon, but the Warhawks didn't have an answer for Megan Thompson.
 
Thompson started her junior season with a hat trick – the third of her career – to lift CSB to a 3-2 overtime win against Whitewater to start 2019 off with a bang. Thompson, who led the team in points, goals and assists last season, scored once in each half, and the eventual game-winner came just over a minute into overtime.
 
After scoring early in the first half to put CSB up 1-0, Thompson – the MIAC Rookie of the Year in 2017 and an All-MIAC First Team selection as a sophomore – scored again midway through the second half to make it 2-1 in favor of CSB. The Warhawks (0-1) tied the game 30 seconds later, and that's where the score stayed through regulation.
 
Saint Benedict didn't need much of the 10-minute overtime, as Thompson took a long pass, dribbled the ball through the box and kicked the ball past UWW's keeper into the low far corner of the net to end the game at the 91:02 mark.
 
CSB (1-0) controlled the ball much of the first half, giving up just three total shots. Thompson's first goal came at the 13:32 mark off a pass from Chloe Miller. Thompson got the ball in front of the keeper, and was able to place her shot above the keeper's left shoulder and into the back of the net. The Warhawks tied the goal 10 minutes into the second half, but Thompson made it 2-1 at the 71:07 mark with a goal off a sharp pass from Roxy Veldman.
 
Saint Benedict finished the game with 23 shots – 12 on net – to Whitewater's 10. The Warhawks had seven shots on net, and goalie Kendall Koenen made her senior debut with five saves.
 
CSB gets little rest as it turns around and hosts UW-La Crosse – currently ranked 17^th in Division III – at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at the new turf field.