Bennie soccer extends win streak to three games

After a 1-5 start to the 2025 season, the CSB soccer team has secured consecutive wins and is looking to keep up the pace heading into the bulk of their MIAC schedule. During the Bennies stretch to start the season, CSB faced off against a pair of top-rated teams in No. 3 Christopher Newport and No.4 Emory.

“We played some really high ranked teams, which was awesome,” senior defender Regan Melz said. “We were challenged hard which helps us in the long run, so we appreciate it.”

The Bennies (3-5) have erupted for eight goals in their past two victories. CSB shut out Bethel 3-0 in their MIAC opener and then defeated UW-Stout the following day 5-2. Junior forward Avery Soli tallied two goals in each of the back-to-back wins and added an assist against UW-Stout. Soli’s performance earned her MIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Soli leads CSB with five goals on the season. The Bennies will be looking for offensive production from junior forward Summer Seamans who notched her first goal of the season against UW-Stout and senior forward Addison Stephani. Stephani has three goals and an assist this fall. Sophomore midfielder Gabby Fernholz and senior midfielder Grace Fitzgibbons have also been mainstays in the Bennies’ starting lineup to start the season. Senior defender Mary Blaska, who was an All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2023, is back after missing last season along with Melz. Both will be relied on heavily on the defensive side. Melz has started 25 consecutive games for CSB and leads the team with 510 minutes played in 2025. The Bennies have seen a few new faces at goalkeeper this season after having to replace their previous starter and 2023 All-Conference Honorable Mention Annie Waters, who is on the Bennies coaching staff this year. So far, Junior Rhianna Anya and first-years Claire McGrath and Anna Mollenhauser have all seen time in net.

“I’m so happy that Annie Waters is back [now as a coach],” Melz said. “[The new goalkeepers are] all such hard workers. They’re very vocal and gaining their confidence.”

Anya was named the MIAC’s Defensive Player of the Week award after recording nine total saves across two games, including a five-save shutout in a 1-0 win over UW-Eau Claire on Sept. 13. As a senior, Melz has reflected on her leadership role and the impact she wants to have on the younger players.

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot recently, the impact that I want to have on the younger classes. I’ve grown into my role a lot as a leader, being more vocal now. I could really see the growth personally that I’ve had and the way that I lead; it’s been really fun. I just really want to set up the future Bennies coming in on a success route,” Melz said. “I think that we are off to a good start already this year, showing them what CSB soccer is about, so they can continue the tradition for us. Culture has always been such a huge thing for CSB.”

After failing to reach the MIAC playoffs last season, the Bennies are determined to get back to post-season play this fall.

“We think that the MIAC is getting super competitive, any team can win any game,” Melz said. “It’s really fun to see the results of other teams, and it’s fun to know that we can win any game, but we know we have to work really hard.”

Melz added that the team’s top priority is to qualify for the MIAC playoffs and then make a run at the MIAC Championship. The Bennies are set to continue MIAC play when they play at Gustavus Adolphus on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 3:30 p.m.