2007 Blazer Soccer Outlook

The College of Saint Benedict soccer team hits the field this fall with a team loaded with experience and ready to make its return to the top tier of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The Blazers, who finished 10-6-1 overall last season, return 18 athletes making them one of few teams in the MIAC that possess a high number of returning athletes. Of the 17 returners, three are seniors and 11 are juniors making this one of the most experienced Blazer soccer team in the past three years.
 
One thing that the returning athletes would like to accomplish is a top-four finish in the MIAC, a feat that has eluded them the past three seasons. There are no players on the active roster that know the thrill of playing in a MIAC playoff game, which is something this season’s squad would like to change.
 
Senior captains Adrianne Racek, Jeannie Stubenvoll and Annie Clintsman are at the top of the list of players who would enjoy restoring Saint Benedict’s place as one of the elite soccer teams in the MIAC.
 
Racek is No. 2 on the active team in career points with 18 and is coming off a season in which she scored four goals, three of which were game-winning goals.
Stubenvoll and Clintsman will anchor the Blazer midfield striving to win possession battles and make good passes to create scoring opportunities.

Two juniors – All-MIAC honorable mention Tina Lisk, All-MIAC Allyson Draxler – and sophomore All-MIAC honorable mention Alison Tourville combine to form one of the best offensive attacks in the MIAC. They combined for 13 goals and 36 points in 2006.

CSB ranked fifth in goals allowed in the MIAC last season with an average of 0.82 goals allowed, which is in large part due to the outstanding play of the Saint Benedict defensive crew that has gained valuable experience over the past two seasons.

Juniors Rachel Loftus, Jenny Murray, All-MIAC honorable mention co-captain Erin Flynn, Sam Vanderlinde and sophomore Paige Samuelson have caused many teams and goal-hungry players to go home frustrated over the past two seasons and hope to continue their dominance this fall.

Sophomore Shannon Strohm will be between the posts as the Blazers’ No. 1 goalkeeper and is backed up by first year Maija Schmelzer (Rochester, Minn.). Strohm compiled a 4-2-1 record and collected two shutouts in 2006. Schmelzer, an All-Big Nine Conference selection at John Marshall High School, gives the Blazers a capable backup who has the ability to stop breakaways.

Joining Schmelzer as newcomers on the Blazer soccer team are sophomore Concordia-Moorhead transfer Emily Willaert (North Mankato, Minn.) and first years Erica Nelson (White Bear Lake, Minn.), Jillian Daleiden (Blaine, Minn.), Chelsi Larson (Minnesota City, Minn.) and Jenny Birkhofer (Albert Lea, Minn.).

Saint Benedict will rely on strong veteran leadership and gutty defensive play to achieve their goal to return to the playoffs this fall.

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