Gabe Joyes works to get past a Loras defender.
Alex Groth, who scored the game-winning goal, looks to control a pass from a teammate.
An enthusiastic crowd of around 700 braved chilly conditions to cheer the Gusties to victory.
Fraser Horton works the ball through the midfield for Gustavus.
The Gustavus men’s soccer team defeated Loras College 1-0 and Wartburg College defeated North Park University 2-1 in first round NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Tournament games played at Gustavus Adolphus College on Saturday afternoon. Gustavus will now play Wartburg on Sunday at 1:00 pm at Gustavus with the winner advancing to the NCAA Sectional Tournament next weekend at a site yet to be determined.
Gustavus improved to 18-2-1 on the season with its 1-0 win over Loras. The Gusties tallied the game-winning goal in the 19th minute of the match when Alex Groth scored from six yards out with assists from Flynn Stewart-Franzen and Mike Butterworth. The match was very closely played and both squads had several significant scoring opportunities in the second half. The Duhawks had the apparent game-tying goal disallowed by an offsides call midway through the second half. Loras outshot Gustavus 10-6 and held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks. Tyler Garry made six saves and earned the shutout for Gustavus. Garry has now compiled 14 shutouts this season which breaks the school record for shutouts in a season of 13 held by Andy Moulton.
In the second game of the day, Wartburg also improved to 18-2 on the season with a 2-1 win over North Park. The Knights trailed 1-0 early in the second half, but evened the score at 1-1 when Harrison Kibombo-Lugujjo scored in the 30th minute. The two teams battled very evenly through the second half, however Wartburg tallied the game-winner in the 79th minute when Joe Hoeksema knocked in a rebound off the hands of the North Park goalkeeper giving the Knights the 2-1 victory.
The Gustavus vs. Wartburg match will be video streamed through the Gustavus website on Sunday. The broadcast will begin at 12:45 pm, with the match set to start at 1:00 pm.