Soccer starts MIAC play for the 2021 season

The CSB soccer team started off the season with two wins, three losses and the last two games against St. Mary’s University and Central College ending in ties.

“We have a talented team and are super excited for what we are capable of this season,” said senior midfielder Clara Noack.

Indeed to have a brand new season free from many COVID-19 measures that plagued the soccer season last year.

This Bennie team has found their soccer season returning to normal again.

“We no longer have to wear masks, which is super nice, and we can now play all the teams [in the MIAC] instead of just a select few,” said senior forward Roxy Veldman.

Masks are only needed during team meetings.

They are not required for outside and but more fans are also now allowed at the games, which adds such a fundamental importance to college sports.

“It stinks because football is every Saturday, but people have still been showing up to our games,” said Junior Soccer Student Manager Cecelia Miller. “At the St. Kate’s game last Saturday there were a lot of fans. Some of the guys’ team was even able to come watch, which was super fun.”

Not only is the lack of COVID-19 measures making this year a bit different than past years but also the overall team dynamic has changed.

“This year is totally opposite from two years ago. We had a veteran team two years before, and last year was more so a mini season with COVID-19, so it wasn’t super intense. This year, we have a bunch of young talent. It’s a young team, which brings a lot of intensity to this season, and will also make it a good one,” Miller said.

Team chemistry is key to working well and communicating on the field together, which is not a problem for this Bennie team.

“All in all, we have a very close team. A lot of us hang out outside of soccer, and after practice we eat at Gorecki for dinner together. We lift each other up and put the team first,” Noack said.

With a young team comes more goals for a successful season. Goals not only for this season but also goals these young athletes can carry with them as they continue their future athletics at CSB.

“Scoring goals and giving up minimal goals against us,” is a big fundamental goal for this season, Veldman said.

Miller, Veldman and Noack all mentioned a huge long-term goal this year includes winning the MIAC Championship.

“With St. Thomas out of the MIAC, our main goal this year is to be MIAC champions,” Miller said.

The season is still young, and a MIAC championship seems possible this year.

There is still a lot to look forward to as more games are played and relationships among teammates are built.

“I am excited to grow as a team and continue to get better each day. We have a young team, but we are very competitive and hungry to win games this year,” Veldman said.

The next home game for CSB soccer is against Augsburg University on Sat. Oct. 2 at 3:30 p.m.