ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) soccer team (3-1-1, 0-0 MIAC) is set to open MIAC play against Macalester (2-2-1, 0-0 MIAC) at 4 p.m. on September 18 at the CSB Outdoor Athletic Complex. This marks CSB's home MIAC opener for the 2024 season.

The Bennies have started the season strong, winning three of their first five games, four of which were played at home. Notable victories include a 3-2 win over UW-Stevens Point, a 3-1 triumph against UW-Oshkosh, where senior forward Alli Voss recorded a hat trick, and a 1-0 win over Central College. CSB also tied Wartburg 1-1 on the road and suffered a 2-0 loss to UW-Eau Claire. Already this year, Voss has been the MIAC Player of the Week and Annie Waters, MIAC Defensive Player of the Week.

Historically, CSB has enjoyed great success, achieving 27 winning seasons since 1984. In 2023, the team tied for third place in the MIAC with a 6-3-2 conference record and a 9-6-3 overall mark. They have consistently finished in the MIAC's top four over the past four seasons, including second place finishes in both 2022 (12-5-2 overall, 8-2-1 MIAC) and 2021 (11-4-3 overall, 8-1-2 MIAC).

CSB Team Statistics and Rankings:

• CSB ranks second in the MIAC with 7.40 saves per game.
• The Bennies are fifth in the conference with a shot accuracy of .592.
• St. Ben's average 9.00 shots on goal per game, ranking eighth in the MIAC.

Key Players:

• Alli Voss: The senior forward leads the MIAC and ranks 13th in DIII with 2.4 game-winning goals. She is second in the MIAC and 35th in DIII with 1.00 goals per game and ranks 40th in DIII with 2.40 points per game. Voss is also sixth in the MIAC with 3.80 shots per game and leads CSB with five goals and 12 points.
• Annie Waters: The senior goalkeeper is second in the MIAC and 43rd in DIII with a .903 saves percentage. She is also second in the conference with 5.60 saves per game, totaling 28 saves so far.
• Emma Young: The senior leads the MIAC and is 31st in DIII with three assists this season, averaging 0.60 assists per game.

Inside Look at the Bennies:
CSB is averaging 1.60 goals per game while allowing 1.20 goals per game. The team takes 15.2 shots per game, with a .592 shot-on-goal percentage. In addition to Voss' five goals, Avery Soli has added three goals to the Bennies' offense. In goal, Annie Waters holds a 0.72 goals-against average, while Madisen Carter has played 75:21 minutes, allowing three goals with a .750 save percentage and a 1-0 record.

Macalester Notes:
Macalester, coached by Madeline Buckley in her second season, comes into the MIAC opener with a 2-2-1 record. The Scots average 2.40 goals per game and boast a .644 shots-on-goal percentage. Erica Hamilton, a first year forward, leads the team with three goals and two assists, while sophomore forward Julia Hanson also has three goals. In goal, sophomore Abigail Heuga has a .800 save percentage and allows 1.50 goals per game.

CSB-Macalester Series History:
This will be the 48th meeting between the two teams. CSB holds a 16-21-10 record against Macalester. In their most recent matchup on September 12, 2023, Macalester secured a 2-1 victory in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Game Recaps:
August 30, 2024 -- UW-Eau Claire 2 CSB 0
Sept. 1, 2024 -- CSB 3 UW-Stevens Point 2
Sept. 7, 2024 – CSB 3 UW-Oshkosh 1
Sept. 8, 2024 – CSB 1 Central 0
Sept. 14, 2024 -- CSB 1 Wartburg 1