ST. PAUL, Minn. - The College of Saint Benedict soccer team suffered its first loss of the season, falling 2-nil at Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) foe St. Catherine University Saturday, Sept. 26. The defeat drops the Bennies to 6-1-1 overall, 1-1-1 in MIAC play, while St. Kate's improves to 5-3 (2-1 MIAC).
Battling the elements, CSB finished with the edge in saves, 6-1, while SCU notched the advantage in shots (13-2), shots on goal (8-1) and corner kicks (7-3).
Senior Rhianna Anya (Bloomington, Minn./Thomas Jefferson Sr.) made six saves in goal for Saint Ben's.
The Widcats found themselves with the first look at scoring in the 14th minute, but Anya stopped a shot to keep it scoreless.
Sophomore Veronica Warren (North Oaks, Minn./Mounds View) made her way into the Bennies' attacking zone in the 31st minute but sailed her scoring attempt just right of the goal posts to keep it tied at zero.
St. Kate's cracked the scoreboard in the final 90 seconds of the opening half, as the Wildcats took a 1-nil lead into the break.
The home team quickly put up another offensive attack, but Anya thwarted the attack with a pair of saves coming in the 47th and 40th minute of action.
A foul against the Bennies worked in favor of St. Kate's, as the Wildcats found the back of the net again to make it 2-nil in the 56th minute.
Saint Benedict found its first scoring opportunity of the second half at the 82nd minute, but a shot by sophomore
Laila Totushek (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park) was stopped by the Wildcats goalkeeper.
Saint Ben's was unable to generate any more scoring chances, falling 2-nil in the road contest.
The Bennies return home to host Saint Mary's University Tuesday, Sept. 29. Action is set to begin at 4 p.m. at CSB Stadium.
