ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict lacrosse team (2-4, 0-2 WIAC) will travel to face UW-Eau Claire (4-2, 2-0 WIAC) in WIAC play on Wednesday (April 1). Gametime for the Bennies and Bluegolds is 5 p.m., at the Sonnentag Fieldhouse in Eau Claire, Wis.

Saint Benedict, directed by fourth year head coach Patrick Crandall (33 career wins), opened the season with back-to-back dominant home wins—21-2 over Edgewood and 21-1 against Milwaukee School of Engineering—before facing a tougher stretch in losses to Carroll (17-7) and No. 18 Chicago (19-6). In its WIAC opener, the Bennies dropped a 13-8 home decision to UW-River Falls and then lost to No. 24 Colorado College, 14-6. 

INSIDE CSB – BY THE NUMBERS
Through six contests, Saint Benedict has outscored opponents, 69-66, while holding a significant advantage in shots (32.5 to 27.5 per game). The Bennies are 10-for-26 on free-position attempts, have collected a 138-106 edge in ground balls, and have a 71.8 percent clears percentage. The Bennies have caused 61 turnovers.

Offensively, senior Sami Hackley (Plymouth, Minn.) continues to lead the way with 20 goals and six assists for a team-high 26 points. She now owns 151 career goals and a program-record 186 points, along with 38 multi-goal games. Hackley opened the season with seven goals against Edgewood and added five more against MSOE. In six games this year, she has four multi-goal performances.

Ava Mosley (Stillwater, Minn.) has totaled 18 goals and five assists, bringing her career marks to 68 goals and 17 multi-goal performances. She recorded three goals and four assists versus MSOE after a five-goal opener and added three more against No. 18 Chicago, UW-River Falls and No. 24 Colorado College.

First-year Rayna Malmberg (Stillwater, Minn.) has contributed 13 points (seven goals, six assists), while junior Lizzie Schrubbe (Andover, Minn.) has posted three goals and 14 assists. Schrubbe's five-assist performance against MSOE highlighted her impact, and she now has 51 career goals and 82 assists - most by an individual in school history.

Additional scoring depth comes from first-year Emma Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.) with 10 goals and Lilly Fandel Thompson (St. Louis Park, Minn.) with seven.

FISCHER EARNS WIAC HONOR
Early in the season, first-year Ashley Fischer (Madison Lake, Minn.) has anchored the Bennies in goal. Her efforts were recognized March 17 when she was named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Kwik Trip Defensive Player of the Week.

Fischer was nearly flawless in the 21-1 win over MSOE, recording six saves and holding the Raiders scoreless for more than 51 minutes before surrendering a fourth-quarter goal. She had a career high 21 saves against UW-River Falls and has 10 or more saves in three straight games. Through six games, she owns a 11.00 goals-against average with 52 total saves while registering a team-high 18 groundballs.

SCOUTING UW EAU CLAIRE
In her first season, Dr. Courtney Puhl, leads a Blugolds team which finished runner-up in the WIAC Playoffs a year ago. Through seven games, Colorado College has 77 goals and average 24.0 shots per game. Opponents have 79 goals and 26.1 shots per game. Colorado College has 135 ground balls, caused 65 turnovers, won 67 draw controls and have a 80.8 percent clears percentage. Through seven games, Charlotte Iler has a team-best 21 goals while Sofia Mancino has 16 goals and Maddie Jenks, 10. In goal Cassidy Schnaufer has an 11.20 goals against average and 54 saves in seven games. Goaltender Lizzy Schoknecht has a .412 save percentage in four games - recording 28 saves.

SERIES NOTES
CSB trails UW-Eau Claire, 2-1,  in the all-time series. On May 2, 2025, the Bennies lost to the Blugolds, 18-15, in the WIAC  Playoffs first-round. In six games, she has led the Blugolds to a 4-2 record, including 2-0 in WIAC play. UW-EC defeated Hamline, 16-8, on March 25 and UW-Stout, 18-10, in WIAC play. Leading the team's offense is Reegan Werner with 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points while Paige Kiani has 18 goals and Jess Stiller, 13.

UP NEXT
Saint Benedict will host Augsburg on Wednesday, April 8 at 6 p.m., on CSB Stadium to UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday, April 1 in Eau Claire, Wis., with game-time at 5 p.m., at Sonnentag Field.