ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – With second half goals from Abby Willenbring and Caralyn Conners, the College of Saint Benedict soccer team (7-5-2) recorded its third straight win with a 2-1 nonconference decision over UW-Stout (3-9-2) on Sunday, Oct. 15 at the CSB Athletic Turf Field.  

In each of the three wins, the Bennies have scored all its goals in the second half. In fact, CSB has a 7-1 margin in goals in the second half of those games.

Saint Benedict, which sits in fourth place in the MIAC with a 4-3-1 lead record and 13 points, has three MIAC games remaining on their regular season schedule, including at St. Scholastica at 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Then, CSB will end the year with home games against St. Olaf on Oct. 21 and Carleton on Oct. 28.

Saint Benedict head soccer coach Steve Kimble was proud of his team's focus and energy in the win over UW-Stout, which helped the Bennies to a 4-0-2 record at home in 2023 and 11-0-2 over the past two years.

"Back-to-back games on the weekend are always a tough situation. My team continues to show up on Sundays and play fantastic. We are also very tough to beat at home and I appreciate taking care of your home field. It was good to get a lot of people into the game today. I am proud of our goalkeepers. Rhianna Anya did a great job and Madisen Carter brought us home," added Kimble, whose team has a 62-to-28 shots advantage in the last three wins.

After UW-Stout and CSB played to a first-half draw, the Bennies had a pair of goals over 2:06 of the second half (61:13-to-63:19). First, senior Conners scored on a penalty kick at 61:13. Then, Willenbring scored off an assist from Alli Voss at 63:19. Willenbring has now scored goals in three straight games.

"It feels great to get a win at home. We are undefeated at home this year and last year. It was great to get everybody involved. It was a great team win. Non-conference games can be hard in the middle of the season, and I think we came out strong," said Willenbring.

The scoring was capped when Lauren Boyd of UW-Stout tallied an unassisted goal at 88:26.

CSB held a 21-to-8 shots edge, including 13-to-3 in the opening half.

Willenbring led CSB with five shots while Ellie Wohnoutka had three. CSB had a 2-to-1 margin in corner kicks.

First year goalkeeper Rhiannna Anya had her first start and recorded one save in facing three shots in the first half. Sophomore Madisen Carter finished for CSB and had a save and one goal allowed in 45 minutes.