Mike Butterworth
Luke Strom
Senior forward Mike Butterworth exploded for four goals (two in each half) to lead Gustavus to a 4-0 win over Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa on Saturday afternoon. Butterworth’s scoring is all the Gusties would need as Coach Larry Zelenz’s crew outshot the Pioneers 32-7 and first year goaltender Luke Strom made two saves to post his first career shutout.
Butterworth picked up right where he left off against Simpson the day before scoring the Gusties first goal of the game at the 32:52 mark. He scored the goal on a penalty kick. Exactly seven minutes later, Butterworth gave Gustavus a 2-0 lead when he scored at the 39:52 mark with an assist from Jeffery Johnson. The Gusties took the 2-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Gustavus maintained its two goal lead through the early part of the second half, but then Butterworth would strike twice in a three minute period minute period to extend the lead to 4-0. Butterworth made the score 3-0 with an assist from Dane Obermeyer at the 73:27 mark and then closed out the scoring with a goal at the 76:29 mark. Jeffrey Johnson was credited with his second assist of the game on the final goal.
The Gustie attack put the pressure on Grinnell the entire game and put 32 shots on goal. The offensive pressure limited Grinnell’s attack as the Pioneers managed just seven shots on goal. Luke Strom made his first collegiate start in goal an impressive one as he made two saves and recorded the shutout.
Butterworth’s four goals are the second highest single game total in school history. Pachi Lopez set the school record with five goals in a game against Hamline in 1970.
Gustavus will continue its season Saturday, September 8 against St. Norbert at UW-Oshkosh.