WAVERLY, IOWA – In a closely-contested match between two of the top teams in the region, the College of Saint Benedict Soccer Team (10-5) dropped a nonconference contest to No. 7 Wartburg (13-0-2), 1-0, at Salzwedel Field.
In this matchup, Wartburg was ranked No. 7 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches poll and No. 1 in the region while CSB was ranked seventh in the region.
St. Ben's, which dropped to 10-5 on the season, was 1-1 this weekend and has won eight of its last 10 matches. The Bennies sit 6-2 and in second in the MIAC.
They return to league play on Saturday, Oct. 22 when the Bennies host Macalester at 1 p.m. at the CSB Soccer Field. They also host their final regular season home match with College of St. Scholastica on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at the CSB Soccer Field.
Against Wartburg on Sunday afternoon, CSB battled through in a hard-fought contest which featured offensive pressure but was countered by defensive resistance. The only goal of the match came at 25:42 when Wartburg's Kate Leuers converted a shot for a 1-0 advantage.
Overall, Wartburg had a 20-9 shot edge with a 7-to-5 margin in shots on goal. CSB was able to create pressure to hold a 4-to-3 margin in corners. The Bennies also were whistled for six fouls and Wartburg, four.
Individually,
Erica Golenzer had a pair of shots, including two on goal while
Ella Young also had two shots with one on goal.
Paige Kahlmeyer, who recorded her second shutout of the year in a 2-0 win at Hamline University on Saturday, recorded six saves and allowed just the single goal in 90 minutes of work. In 11 starts this year (15 matches played), she has allowed just six goals (0.57 avg.) with 42 saves.
In the first half, Wartburg had a 12-to-3 margin in shots with CSB recording four saves and Wartburg, two. In the second half, both teams had good chances at a goal, but shots were just off, saved by the goalkeepers or blocked by the defense. Wartburg had an 8-to-6 edge in shots while CSB had a 4-to-1 edge in corners. CSB had three shots on goals and Wartburg, two, in the second half.
