Sophomore forward Amanda Cartony scored the first goal of the season for the Gustavus women’s soccer team, but the University of California-Santa Cruz collected three unanswered goals in the second period on its way to a 4-1 victory in Santa Cruz, Calif. on Saturday.
After a scoreless first half, Santa Cruz put the first score on the board with a goal by Brooke Atkinson from Maritza Hernandez just over two minutes into the second half. Atkinson tapped in the goal off a rebound over Gustie goalkeeper Jessica Richert. Gustavus answered with an unassisted goal by Cartony at the 56:45 mark to tie the game at 1-1, but from there on out it was all Santa Cruz.
Chay Thomas scored the game-winner for the Banana Slugs with 24 minutes left in the contest while Michelle Stathatos and Atkinson added insurance goals in the 85th and 86th minutes, respectively, for the three-goal victory.
Besides Cartony’s goal, the Santa Cruz defenders kept the Gusties at bay, allowing only four shots. The Banana Slugs put heavy pressure on the Gustavus defense with 26 shots in the contest, 14 of which were shots on goal. Richert amassed 10 saves in the nets for the Gusties.
The women’s soccer team (0-3) will wrap up its California trip with a 1:30 p.m. match against Chapman University on Sunday in Santa Cruz, Calif.