The Gustavus men’s soccer team downed Concordia College 5-0 in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup Saturday in St. Peter. Senior forward Bobby Kroog (Bloomington, Minn.) scored three goals to lead the Gusties offensively. With the victory, the Gusties improved to 4-1-1 on the season and 2-0 in the MIAC. Concordia fell to 1-3-0 overall and 0-2 in the MIAC.
Gustavus, currently ranked fourth in the West Region, picked up two goals in the first half off the foot of Kroog. The first came off a deflection in the 17th minute as Kroog put one of his game-high nine shots past Cobber goalkeeper Brett Oestreich. The second game in the 20th minute as Kroog took a pass from senior Caleb Bousu (Burnsville, Minn.) off a goalie deflection and deposited it into the net.
Bousu also assisted on two of the Gusties three second half goals, finding Jeff Aasness (Sr., Moorhead, Minn.) in the 63rd minute and Kroog for his third goal of the day in the 70th minute. Alex Groth (Jr., Waupaca, Wisc.) rounded out the scoring with a goal just inside the 90th minute. Groth’s goal came off a free kick deep in the zone by Sam Barthell (So., Bloomington, Minn.).
The Gusties were aggressive on offense throughout the game, outshooting the Cobbers, 27-6. Gustavus’ aggressiveness also produced a 12-1 advantage in corner kicks and three offsides calls.
Kroog is the first Gustie to score three goals in a game since he turned the trick against Buena Vista University on August 30, 2003. Kroog’s four goals this season have moved him up the Gustavus career scoring list. With 26 career goals, he is now tied for seventh place all-time with Pete Eklund (1994-97) and Eric Carl (1999-2002). His 57 career points moves him into 10th place all-time.
The three assists in a game by Bousu ties a school record set in 1994 by Matt Lindberg in a 13-0 victory over Wartburg.
Gustavus is off until Saturday, September 24 when they travel to Collegeville, Minn. to face Saint John’s University in another MIAC test.