ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The Macalester women's soccer team earned their first point of the conference season on Saturday afternoon, holding off Saint Benedict for a 0-0 tie on the road. This was the second time in the past three years that the two opponents have tied.
 
The Bennies fired an impressive 30 shots throughout the game, but the Macalester defense held strong, only allowing 12 of those to be on net, with junior goalie Kayla Togneri (Ventura, Calif./Ventura) saving all 12, leading the Scots to their first shutout of the season. This was also the first time this season that Saint Benedict has been held scoreless.
 
Togneri's effort in net was her second time on the year recording double-digit saves, as she leads the MIAC with 58 total saves so far this season.
 
On offense, junior Georgia Kazemi (Missoula, Mont./Hellgate) led Macalester, taking three shots throughout the contest, including two on net. First year Sarah Hamilton (Chanhassen, Minn./Minnetonka) also added two shots of her own with one on goal. Junior Yukeria Haywood (Stone Mountain, Ga./Marist School) was the final Scot to take a shot on target in the game.
 
In the first part of the first half, the offense went back-and-forth with Saint Benedict holding a 3-2 edge in shots. However, the Bennies turned up their intensity in the second part of the half, taking seven shots compared to Macalester's one.
 
In the second half, the Bennies were just as aggressive, but Kazemi was battling back for Macalester, taking three shots and forcing goalie Kendall Koenen to make two saves. Neither team was able to score, forcing the game into overtime.
 
The Scots were unable to get a shot off in the first overtime, but they also did not allow the Bennies to score with their four shots in the frame. Macalester found more offensive success in the second overtime, getting two shots off, including Hamilton's shot that was on goal.
 
Saint Benedict put a good shot on net in the final minute of play, but Togneri made a diving save to her left to preserve the tie.  
 
The Scots will return to action on Wednesday, October 2^nd as they host Bethel in their second home game of the season. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.