ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict soccer team (0-2) returns home this weekend for its long-awaited home opener. The Bennies will host Wartburg College (0-3) at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the CSB Athletic Complex. The team is back in action less than 24 hours later, taking on No. 4 Emory University (2-0) at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6, marking their second top-four opponent in the young season.

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Season Recap
CSB opened the 2025 campaign with a challenging road trip, falling 3-0 to Virginia Wesleyan and 2-0 to third-ranked Christopher Newport. Despite the results, there were positives to build on, particularly on the defensive side. Against CNU, the Bennies trailed just 1-0 until the 75th minute and held Virginia Wesleyan scoreless in the second half.
First-year goalkeeper Claire McGrath was a standout in goal, recording a season-high nine saves against CNU. Through two games, CSB holds a 2.50 goals-against average, a .773 save percentage, and is averaging 9.0 saves per match.

Looking Ahead
The Bennies are looking to bounce back after a difficult 2024 season (5-8-3 overall, 2-7-2 MIAC), but history suggests a return to form is likely. Prior to last year, CSB finished in the top three of the MIAC every season since 2021, and has placed in the top five a staggering 31 times in program history. The team boasts four MIAC titles and 20 top-three finishes overall.

Scouting Wartburg
Under fourth-year head coach Emily Ryan (32-21-6 at Wartburg), the Knights are still seeking their first win of the season after losses to No. 25 Calvin (2-0), Hope (3-0), and St. Olaf (3-0). Following their visit to St. Joseph, Wartburg will face Saint Mary's (Minn.) on Sept. 10.

Series History
Saturday's game marks the 17th all-time meeting between CSB and Wartburg. The Bennies trail the series 6-7-3, including a 1-1 draw in the last matchup on Sept. 14, 2024. However, CSB is strong at home with a 5-2-1 record against the Knights in St. Joseph, including a 9-0 win in the first-ever meeting in 1989.
Sunday's matchup against Emory will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Coach Steve Kimble at the Helm
Now in his 17th season, Head Coach Steve Kimble has built a tradition of success at Saint Benedict. He has led CSB to top-four MIAC finishes 10 times, including a third-place finish in 2023 (9-6-3 overall, 6-3-2 MIAC). Under his leadership, CSB has posted 13 winning seasons in 16 years and made 11 MIAC Playoff appearances.
Kimble's coaching resume includes:

• 2 MIAC Championships (2011, 2013)
• 2 NCAA Tournament appearances
• 3 All-Americans
• 2 MIAC Players of the Year
• 21 All-Region selections
• 37 All-MIAC and 22 Honorable Mention picks

In total, Kimble owns a 154-90-35 record at CSB, with a 97-52-16 mark in MIAC play. He also serves as the College's Director of Club Sports.