ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College women's soccer team hosted Saint Benedict this evening for the first MIAC matchup of the season. The Scots prevailed, defeating the Bennies 2-1. This is the first time since 2015 Macalester has defeated Saint Benedict since 2015. Macalester improves to 3-1 (1-0 MIAC).
 
The first half was a close battle between the Scots and the Bennies. First year goalkeeper Abigail Heuga (San Francisco, Calif./Urban School of San Francisco) made a save in the 21^st minute to keep the score 0-0. Junior Ella Short (Denver, Colo./Denver East) and sophomore Ella Wu-Ancipink (Los Angeles, Calif./Polytechnic School) forced the Bennies' goalie to make saves near the end of the half. The two teams remained scoreless at halftime.
 
In the second half, Macalester put the pressure on early and was rewarded. In the 48^th minute, the Saint Benedict goalkeeper miss kicked the ball straight to first year Julia Hanson (Weston, Mass./Weston). Hanson capitalized on the opportunity and gave the Scots a 1-0 lead. Heuga made two more saves in the game before Macalester doubled their lead. Junior Gabriela Valle (Compton, Calif./Chadwick School) headed the ball into the net off a corner kick from first year Adi Nhouyvanisvong (Wayzata, Minn./Minnetonka) in the 75^th minute. The Bennies were able to get a goal back in the 86^th minute, but Macalester came out on top 2-1.
 
The Scots' next game will be Saturday Sept 16 at 3:30 p.m. Macalester will head to St. Peter, Minn. for another MIAC game against Gustavus.