Midfielder Liz Underwood scored the game-winner in the Gusties first win of the season.
After dropping its first six games of the 2011 season, the Gustavus women’s soccer team recorded its first win with a 2-1 upset victory over Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa on Wednesday afternoon. Midfielder Liz Underwood knocked in the game-winning goal in the 65th minute to lift the Gusties to the non-conference win. Gustavus improves to 1-6-0 overall, while Buena Vista drops to 5-3-1.
The Gustie offense provided a strong showing with 17 shots against the Beavers after tallying a total of 27 shots in its previous six matches.
Sophomore forward Amanda Cartony gave Gustavus an early momentum swing with a goal 3:28 into the game. The Gusties’ lone senior, forward Meghan McMillan, was credited with the assist as Cartony connected for her second goal of the season. Buena Vista tied the game at one apiece at the 34:17 mark in the first period as Kellyn Arnold found Shelby Ripperger for the sole Beaver goal of the game.
Following the half, Underwood scored the game-winner 20 minutes into the period off a rebound. The unassisted goal was Underwood’s first of the season and first since Oct. 9, 2010 in a 1-0 victory over St. Catherine.
Gustavus goalkeeper Jessica Richert made two saves in her first win of the season. Richert benefited from a Gustie defense that allowed only six shots throughout the contest.
The turnaround victory for Gustavus was well earned with regard to Buena Vista’s recent play. In their first eight games, the Beavers outscored their opponents 33-to-7 and were ranked 12th in Division III in total goals (as of Sept. 18). Also, leading up to Wednesday’s game, half of BVU’s matches were shutout victories.
Gustavus returns to conference play on Saturday with a home match against the College of Saint Benedict at 1:00 p.m.
Go Liz! What’s it like to score goals, anyway?