LACROSSE, Wis. – In a tough defensive battle with No. 13 UW-Lacrosse (1-0), the College of Saint Benedict soccer team (0-1) dropped a 1-0 nonconference road decision to open the 2023 season.

CSB, which finished 12-5-1 (8-2-1, 2^nd, MIAC) a year ago, battled the nationally-ranked Eagles throughout the day. UWL has qualified for five of the last seven NCAA DIII Championships and was projected to win the 2023 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference after a 21-2-1 mark (7-0 in league play) a year ago. Both teams brought back a large group of returners with the Eagles featuring seven All-WIAC performers and CSB returning nine starters, including three All-MIAC performers.

In the defensive-dominated game, the only goal was scored by UWL's Hayley Slaska who converted a shot at 37:08 off an assist by Lindsey Szymanski. Both team's defenses held strong throughout the second half as neither team was able to push across a goal.

At halftime, CSB had four shots and two on-goal and finished the game with five shots. UWL had a 25-to-5 overall margin shots and 11-0 advantage in corner kicks.

CSB received a strong outing in goal from junior Annie Waters, who had eight saves in facing 25 shots in 90 minutes of play.  Five different Bennies put up shots with Abby Willenbring and Lana Krautkremer recording shots on goal.

The Bennies will now travel to face UW-Stevens Point at 10 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 3. The nonconference game was moved up to Sunday morning due to extreme heat that will develop over the weekend.