MONMOUTH, Ill. – Led by four goals by Shauna Miller and Sami Hackley, the College of Saint Benedict (9-2, 6-0 MWLC) defeated Monmouth (0-12, 0-6 MWLC) on Wednesday (April 26) and clinched a share of the MWLC regular season title.

For the Bennies, they now have won all six of their conference match ups and have one remaining, a home game with Augsburg at the CSB Athletic Field on Saturday, April 29, at 1 p.m. It is quite an accomplishment by CSB, a first-year program, which can win the outright MWLC regular season title with a victory against Augsburg. CSB has also clinched the No. 1 seed in the MWLC Tourney which is set for May 3, 6.

Saint Benedict took control of the game against Monmouth early, leading 6-2 after the first quarter. With another 6-2 second quarter, CSB took a 12-4 lead to halftime. In the second half, CSB again dominated with a 5-1 advantage to finish with a 17-5 win.

The reigning MWLC Offensive Player of the Week Sami Hackley had four goals in a game for the fourth time this year. In a career-best effort, Shauna Miller also had four goals while adding an assist. Grace Fitzgibbons had her fifth hat trick or better with three goals while handing out a pair of assists. CSB also had two goals from Ella Steinke and Emma Schrepfer while Presley Kraemer had her fifth goal of the season.

In its inaugural season, Bennies have won 9-of-11 games overall and continue to grow as a team noted CSB Head Coach Patrick Crandall.

"The team worked hard for another conference win," said Crandall. "The offense was paced by Shauna (Miller) and Sami (Hackley) with four goals each. Grace (Fitzgibbons), Ella (Steinke), and Presley (Kraemer) played very well in the midfield with Emma (Osland) playing both mid and defense. The defense stepped up and limited the number of shots on goal and was able to have success on our clears," he said.
 
Saint Ben's domination was shown through its 47-to-14 shots edge, which included a 32-to-8 margin in the first half. CSB also had a 24-to-17 advantage in ground balls. Monmouth won 14-of-26 draw controls but CSB was successful on 19-of-23 clears. Monmouth converted just 7-of-34.
 
"It feels good to get back on track after a tough loss (UW-LaCrosse) on Monday. I am looking forward to finishing off our first regular season with a home game and senior day on Saturday. We are really enjoying playing this game together and coming together as a close-knit unit. Long bus rides and overnight trips have added a lot to the chemistry of this team and how they play for each other. I'm very proud of this group," said Crandall.
 
Scoring Summary
Steinke opened the scoring off an assist from Fitzgibbons at 11:09 and Miller had her first of four goals at 10:21 as CSB took a 2-0 lead. After a Monmouth goal, the Bennies added to their lead with four straight scores.

Off an assist from Miller, Kraemer tallied a goal at 6:04 and Fitzgibbons had a free position goal at 5:37 for a 4-1 lead. Then Miller, off an assist from S. Hackley, had her second goal at 5:09 and S. Hackley scored off an assist from Schrepfer at 1:38 for a 6-1 lead which they took to the break.

After Monmouth had its second goal, Steinke converted her second of the game at 9:05 as CSB took a 7-2 advantage. S. Hackley took an assist from Fitzgibbons at 6:48 to score a goal and Miller had her hat trick at 6:06 of the second period for a 9-2 lead.

Saint Ben's continued to apply offensive pressure as Hackley's goal at 2:42 gave CSB a 10-2 lead. Schrepfer scored at 2:02 and Fitzgibbons took a Kraemer pass (assist) to tally a goal at 1:48 of the second quarter for a 12-3 lead. CSB had a 12-4 margin at the halftime break.

In the third quarter, Fitzgibbons increased the lead to 13-4 at 14:17. Then Schrepfer (9:45), Miller (6:49) and S. Hackley (2.15) added goals for a 16-4 margin. Osland closed out the scoring at 12:17 of the fourth quarter for a 17-4 lead.

By the Numbers
In moving to 9-2 on the year in goal, Chloe Lewis had six saves and now has 105 on the year as she lowered her goals against average to 8.09.  The Bennies, which improved to 7-1 on the road, extended their season goals edge to 141-to-89 with a 383-to-266 margin on shots.

Sami Hackley leads CSB in goals with 28 and points with 38 while leading CSB with 50 draw controls. She has multiple goals in nine of the 10 games she has played. Grace Fitzgibbons is second in points with 33, tallying 24 goals. Emma Schrepfer had 18 goals and 12 points for 30 points. Ella Steinke has 20 goals and 26 points with 21 draw controls while Emma Osland has 17 goals and 20 points while Shauna Miller has 16 goals and 24 points.