Women's Soccer 10/25/08 -- Augsburg 1, St. Benedict 0
GAME BOXSCORE | AUGSBURG SEASON STATISTICS
MINNEAPOLIS (10/25/08) -- Kelsey Watsabaugh (SR, Eden Prairie, Minn./Hopkins HS) scored on a corner-kick bender 14 minutes into the game, and goalkeeper Maggie DeGroot (SR, Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha West HS) had seven saves for her single-season school-record-tying 10th shutout of the season, as Augsburg College claimed a 1-0 victory over the College of St. Benedict in a battle of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's soccer playoff contenders on Saturday afternoon at Augsburg's Edor Nelson Field.
With the win, Augsburg (10-3-4 overall, 5-1-4 MIAC) remains in contention to reach the four-team conference postseason playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. The Auggies now have 14 league points with one conference game remaining -- at Macalester on Friday (10/31) at 7:30 p.m. St. Benedict (12-5-0 overall, 6-4-0 MIAC), which had its six-game winning streak snapped, has 12 league points and hosts Concordia-Moorhead in its final game of the regular season next Saturday (11/1) at 12 p.m.
"Wow, what an exciting game! I was proud of their effort," said Augsburg head coach Mike Navarre. "Everyone is excited to get this win and now looking forward to our big match against Macalester."
Taking a corner kick from the right side in the 14th minute, Watsabaugh bent the ball into a crowd in front of the net, and the ball deflected off of St. Benedict goalkeeper Maija Schmelzer (SO, Rochester, Minn./John Marshall HS) and went into the net for her second goal on a corner kick this season.
Meanwhile, DeGroot -- Augsburg's career record-holder in every goalkeeping category -- claimed her 37th career victory and 36th shutout of her career with her seven-save effort. She had four saves in the second half, including several close-in saves late in the game. DeGroot tied her single-season school record with her 10th shutout of the season. She also had 10 shutouts in the 2006 season.
"Kelsey's goal was huge. She stepped up and sent a very dangerous ball that found its way into the net," Navarre said. "Additionally Maggie made some key saves for us to hold on. Katie Medd (SR, Mankato, Minn./East HS) and Felicia Faison (SR, Minneapolis, Minn./South HS) also played outstanding. Fittingly, our seniors led us to victory today in what could be their last home game."
Augsburg had a 16-13 shots advantage in the game. Medd had four shots for the Auggies. Chelsi Larson (SO, Minnesota City, Minn./Winona Cotter HS) had three shots to lead St. Benedict. Schmelzer had six saves in goal for the Blazers.
