CSB soccer on hot streak entering second half of season

The Bennies’ soccer team is catching fire at the right time as they head into the thick of MIAC play.

The Bennies started the season losing three of the first four games. These losses included two road games where they lost a close 0-1 game to the 13th nationally ranked UW-Lacrosse Eagles and fell 1-2 against the Macalester Scots.

After the Macalester game, the CSB squad righted the ship and bounced back, beating Hamline University, Wartburg College and St. Mary’s University. The Bennies held each of their opponents to shutouts and tallied six total goals in the three games.

With recent success, the Bennies know how important it is to stay on track, focus on their next game and not overlook any team on their schedule.

“We are so comfortable playing at home, so I think it’s about going into [the game] knowing this is our field,” senior defender Lindsay Mueller said. “I think it’s important to remember that anybody in the MIAC is capable of anything, so we need to go out for every single game knowing that one opponent could be just as good as the last.”

Senior forward Lana Krautkremer agrees with Mueller as the Bennies get ready for their matchup against the Augsburg Auggies

“Going into Augsburg on a three-game winning streak gives us the momentum to stay persistent and focused. Like Coach [Steve Kimble] says, ‘We have to perform in the red zone for all 90 minutes,’” Krautkremer said.

Even though the Bennies started the season 1-3, the team’s confidence was not defeated.

CSB head coach Kimble kept the spirits up on the team.

“Our non-conference games were probably one of the strongest stretch of games that anybody had. We don’t play light teams in the beginning of our season in our non-conference schedule,” Kimble said. “ I just had to keep reminding them that they were in every game.”

Krautkremer feels that the team is strong this year, even though they started the season 1-3.

“No matter if we’re 1-3 or if we’re riding a three-game winning streak, every game brings a new challenge,” Krautkremer said. “There isn’t a team that we can’t hang with.”

St. Ben’s is currently riding high on the winning streak, but the team knows to stay centered on soccer.

Kimble said that the players are busy and heavily involved on campus, and it’s important they stay well-rounded students.

“I just keep reminding them to enjoy campus, enjoy life and stay focused on their goals, and we can generally make it all work together,” Kimble said. “Just be smart about where and when you focus on what you’re doing. There are times where you can just forget about soccer and there’s times where we have to focus on soccer. Figuring out when to control your focus on specific things is the trick.”

The Bennies will remain attentive to their play as they head into the middle of the season with the MIAC championship on the horizon.