DULUTH, Minn. – With two goals from senior Abby Willenbring, the College of Saint Benedict soccer team (8-5-2, 5-3-1 MIAC) recorded its fourth straight win with a 4-1 decision over St. Scholastica (1-12-2, 1-5-2 MIAC) in MIAC play on Wednesday (Oct. 18).     

For the first time this year, the Bennies scored two goals in the opening half and finished the game with a season-high four goals. Over the last four games, CSB has a 11-to-3 goals edge and a 96-to-34 shots advantage. During that same time span, Willenbring has scored five goals with her first career two-goal game in the win over the Saints today.

Willenbring has tied Alli Voss for the team lead in goals with five and now has 10 career goals. She also totaled a team-season-best five points in a game with her two goals and an assist. She and Voss now both had 12 points to lead CSB this year.  Sophomores Grace Fitzgibbons and Regan Melz also tallied goals in the win. Fitzgibbons scored her second goal of the year and Melz registered the first goal of her career on a second half penalty kick.

"It is not easy to go on the road mid-week. I am proud of the team's focus and effort today," said CSB head soccer coach Steve Kimble. "We're gaining momentum. It's going to be fun to close up the (regular) season with two home games," he added.

Saint Benedict, which sits in third place in the MIAC with a 5-3-1 record and 16 points (pending the results in the MIAC today), has two home MIAC games remaining on their regular season schedule. CSB hosts St. Olaf at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21 and Carleton at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 28.

Game Summary -

CSB opened the scoring at the 2:08 mark when Willenbring scored on a shot to the high left corner of the box for a 1-0 lead. Caralyn Conners earned the assist on the scoring play. Less than seven minutes later, Fitzgibbons scored her second goal of the season on a shot to the low left corner for a 2-0 lead at 9:06. Willenbring registered the assist.

In the second half, St. Scholastica closed to within 2-1, on a goal from Tyler Voth off an assist by Avery Sutton at the 59:28 mark.

However, CSB responded with two goals to take a commanding, 4-1 lead. At the 74:28 mark, Willenbring scored her second goal of the game with a shot to the low left corner for a 3-1 advantage. CSB's Mary Blaska assisted on the goal. Then Melz recorded her first goal of her career with a penalty shot at the 83:03 mark.

CSB dominated the offensive end, holding a 34-to-4 edge in shots, including 19-to-2 in shots on goal. The Bennies also had a 10-to-0 edge in corners. Both Willenbring and Fitzgibbons recorded a team-high seven shots. 

CSB junior goalkeeper Annie Waters, the reigning MIAC Defensive Player of the Week, allowed just one goal in facing four shots.