Oshkosh, Wis. – In the team’s second match in as many days, the Gustavus Adolphus men’s soccer team played No. 21 UW-Oshkosh to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes of regulation and two ten minute overtime sessions. Gustavus moves to 2-1-1 overall with the tie and UW-Oshkosh goes to 3-0-1.
“The lads really worked hard for the result today – they fought like Trojans,” said Head Coach Mike Middleton. “It was a tight game against a very good team on their home pitch. After a difficult game yesterday, a win and a tie this weekend is just terrific. It was a treat to watch, as we had so many heroic performances.”
Gustavus finished with one more shot than UW-Oskosh by the end of the match, ending up with 12 on the afternoon. Five of the Gusties’ shots came in the second half, and three more were tallied in overtime. The corner kick count ended at an even five per side.
“Going a man down early in the second half made life very tough, but our lads dug deep and caused them all types of problems,” commented Middleton on the second half. “Everything seemed to be going against us, which is typical of when you go away to these tournaments, but the lads still pulled through.”
Goalkeeper Brett Ylonen (Jr., Lake Elmo, Minn.) posted the 110-minute shutout, stopping all five Titan shots that made it to the net. UW-Oshkosh’s keeper Sam Gabrilska also went the entire game, making five saves as well.
David Lilly (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn.), Sam Leske (So., Hampton, Minn.), Zach Brown (Jr., Eau Claire, Wis.), and Jonathan Balthazar (Fr., Evanston, Ill.) all registered a shot on goal in the match.
Much like the contest against St. Scholastica, Sunday’s non-conference affair was a physical battle between two teams who refused to back down to one another. Gustavus was called for 19 fouls compared to UW-Oshkosh who was called for 17. There were also 11 yellow cards called in the match with seven of them going to the Gusties.
“The lads represented Gustavus with such pride, desire, and no little amount of skill – I’m so proud of the them,” Middleton concluded. “A day off tomorrow and don’t they deserve it.”
The Gustavus men’s soccer team will be back on the pitch Wednesday, Sept. 11 when it travels to New Ulm, Minn. to face Martin Luther College in a non-conference match. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.