ST. PAUL, Minn. – Macalester (3-1, 1-0 MIAC) held off a late rally by the College of Saint Benedict soccer team (1-3, 0-1 MIAC) and recorded a 2-1 victory as MIAC play opened for both teams.

With the setback, the Bennies dropped to 1-3 on the year including 0-1 in MIAC play. CSB's setback ended a two-game winning streak in the series with Macalester, which has a 21-16-10 advantage. For the fourth straight game, CSB was in a game decided by one goal. Unfortunately, CSB has been on the wrong side in three of those contests - all on the road.

After a scoreless first half, Macalester's Julia Hanson scored at 47:53 on a shot to the low left area of the goal for a 1-0 lead.  Then with 74:48 remaining, Macalester's Gaby Valle scored a goal off a corner kick for a 2-0 lead.

CSB was not done and tried to rally. At the 85:48 mark, CSB cut the lead in half as junior Olivia Miller (second career goal) converted a shot off a corner kick. Senior Abby Willenbring contributed the assist on the goal. She now has six assists in her career.

For a third straight game, CSB held the advantage in shots with a 14-to-8 advantage. The Bennies were led by a team-high four by Lucy Petschel. CSB also held a 7-to-5 margin in shots on goal and 5-to-4 edge in corner kicks.  

For Macalester, goalkeeper Abigail Huega had six saves against 14 shots by CSB. Seven players had shots among the eight made by Macalester.

After a four-game road swing to open the season, the Bennies return home for a pair of home games. CSB will host Hamline in MIAC play at 3:30 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 16, and then welcome Wartburg at 2 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 17, in nonconference play.