Blazers Oust Auggies In MIAC Semifinals 2-0

10/30/2007

Tuesday afternoon’s MIAC semifinal game was a battle of two hungry teams ready to prove their MIAC postseason worth. A pair of second half goals propelled the College of Saint Benedict Blazers to a 2-0 victory over Augsburg College. The Blazers had lost to the Auggies 1-0 Oct. 24, but were able to gain revenge in Tuesday's playoff game in St. Joseph, Minn. It was the Blazers first victory over Augsburg College since Oct. 14, 2003.

The Blazers adcance to the MIAC finals with the victory and will square off against MIAC regular season champion Concordia-Moorhead College at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov 3 in Moorhead, Minn. The Blazers pulled off a 2-1 upset over the Cobbers on Saturday, Oct. 27 in the final game of the regular season. 

After a scoreless first half, the Blazers finally got on the board at the 61:54 mark of the second half when defender Rachel Loftus  (Savage, Minn. /Holy Angels) knocked home a header off of a corner kick from the right foot of Samantha Vanderlinde (Maple Plain, Min. /Watertown-Mayer). It was Loftus' first point of the season for the Blazers. Less than 10 minutes later, junior forward Tina Lisk (Louisville, Colo. /Monarch) drove home the Blazers' second goal of the afternoon – a goal that proved to be the dagger for the Auggies.  

Defensively the Blazers were dominant once again. Their tenacious attacking style of play stymied the Auggies attack, limiting them to three shots on goal. Goalkeeper Shannon Strohm (Burnsville, Minn. (Apple Valley) displayed the same form that helped make her statistically the best goalkeeper in the MIAC during the regular season.

The 162 mile drive to Moorehead is a trip that the Blazer faithful won’t have a problem enduring to watch their team play for the MIAC playoff title. A win on Saturday would earn the Blazers an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
37 South College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5301
Fax 320-363-6098