Mike Butterworth makes a play for the ball.
Underwood dribbles past a Luther defender.
Gustavus won a key non-conference match over Luther 2-0 in St. Peter, Minn. Sunday afternoon. Mike Butterworth’s (Katy, Tex.) late first half goal proved to be the difference maker for the Gusties. The win was sealed by Ben Eriksson’s (Madison, Wisc.) first collegiate goal in the last minute of game with intensified Luther pressure. Trevor Brown (Madison, Wisc.) extended his shutout streak to four games.
Butterworth started the scoring in the 34th minute of the first half on a pass from Fraser Horton (Missoula, Mont.). Horton moved the ball up the right side of the field, when he used some nifty footwork to dribble past the defender. He served the ball from right to left with Butterworth connecting on a header, sending the ball over Luther goalie Leif Madsen’s head into the middle of the net.
Late in the first half Luther nearly tied the match on their best scoring chance of the match. Nic Barclay drilled a free kick to the lower right corner that hit the post and deflected into to the arms of Gustavus goalkeeper Trevor Brown.
Luther turned up the pressure with the second half winding down, but came up empty in the effort. The Norse misplayed a ball at the feet of Max Malmquist (Salt Lake City, Utah), who promptly found Eriksson for the breakaway. Eriksson moved in against Madsen to score from five yards out with 12 seconds left to play.
Coach Zelenz’s team now carries a 6-1 overall record, while the Norse fell to 3-3-1. Gustavus will take on MIAC rival Saint John’s Saturday in Collegeville, Minn. at 4:00 pm. The Gusties will look avenge last year’s 1-0 overtime loss to the eventual co-MIAC champion Johnnies.