Bobby Kroog runs the ball away from a Luther defender
Chris Pinahs shields a Luther player away from the ball
J.T. Johnson works his way up the field
Jeff Aasness pushes the ball toward a defender
Senior forward Caleb Bousu (Burnsville, Minn.) tallied three goals to lead the Gustavus men’s soccer team to a 5-1 non-conference win over Luther on Sunday in St. Peter. Junior Alex Groth added a goal and an assist for the Gusties, who improved to 7-1-2 overall.
The Norse got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute when Steve Kain put a shot past Gustie keeper Trevor Brown (Madison, Wis.). Gustavus would not be down long, though, as Alex Groth (Waupaca, Wis.) took one of the first touches after play restarted and found Bousu, who broke through the Luther defense for his sixth goal of the season. Just 15 seconds ticked off the game clock between the goals.
Bousu would collect his second goal of the day just four minutes into the second half, taking a cross from Chris Pinahs (Sr., Delafield, Wis.) and headed it into the net. Groth tallied his fifth goal of the season early in the 71st minute, scoring on a breakaway down the sideline to give the Gusties a 3-1 lead. Groth would get his second assist of the day just 33 seconds later when Bousu found the back of the net to put Gustavus up 4-1.
Senior Jon Astry (Eden Prairie, Minn.) concluded the scoring in the 73rd minute as he deposited a free kick into the net from 40 yards away. The ball, kicked from in front of the Gustavus bench, was tipped by Norse keeper Leif Madsen, but not knocked far enough off its path to prevent it from going into the goal.
Bousu became the second Gustie this season to record a hat trick. Bobby Kroog (Bloomington, Minn.) accomplished the feat against Concordia on September 17. With the three goals, Bousu also edged closer to Kroog in a pair of career statistical categories. Bousu, with 24 career goals, moved into a tie for tenth place all-time on the Gustavus career goals list. Kroog currently sits seventh with 27 goals. Bousu’s 59 career points (23 G, 13 A) moves him into 11th place on the Gustavus career points list.
With his solid play over the weekend, Alex Groth has now registered at least one point in each of the Gusties’ last five games. It is the longest active streak on the team.
Brown improved to 2-1-2 in goal for the Gusties, picking up six saves.
Gustavus returns to MIAC play on Saturday afternoon when they host 4-0 Macalester for Homecoming. The Scots are ranked 20th nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Box Score