Parkland, Wash. – Unfazed by the hectic same-day travel schedule, two-hour time zone difference, and short turnaround before its match, the Gustavus men’s soccer team opened its trek to the Pacific Northwest with a 3-0 victory over Pacific Lutheran University on Friday night at East Field.
“Great result tonight against a very good team,” said Head Coach Mike Middleon. “We played very well, keeping the ball in tight spaces and moving the ball around very nicely. We also looked highly potent up front, which was nice to see. The lads were bright and inventive, playing some lovely football at times.”
Gustavus improves to 3-1-0 overall with the win, while Pacific Lutheran drops to 1-2-0. The Gusties will have Saturday off before capping their trip with a 4:00 p.m. (CST) match against the University of Puget Sound on Sunday in Tacoma.
“I was worried about this game because Pacific Lutheran has an excellent reputation, and playing the same day as we traveled was a bit of a gamble,” added Middleton about the team’s opponent and travel schedule. “The lads got up at 4.30 a.m. and played at 9:00 p.m. all on our time, so it was great credit to them that they put in performance like that.”
Possibly a little jet-lagged and running on less sleep, it didn’t take long for the Gusties to light up the scoreboard with a goal. Less than five minutes into the match, Zach Brown (Sr., Eau Claire, Wis.) scored the eventual game-winner off an assist from Jason Schwab (Jr., Stillwater, Minn.) at the 4:10 mark. The goal was Brown’s second of the season, as Schwab’s night was not nearly over.
Later in the first half at 38:44, Jason Schwab struck the first of his two goals off a Konnor Tranoris (Jr., Des Moines, Iowa) to put the Black and Gold up 2-0.
“We dominated the first half especially and created a number of good chances,” Middleton stated. “Zach Brown scored early on from a terrific overhead kick into the corner of the net. Great skill and great execution on another assist for right-back Jason Schwab after a lovely shaped ball across the box.”
“Two further goals followed from Jason Schwab, who has turned into a lethal goal-scorer early this season. The first off Konnor Tranoris following a quick interchange wide with Charlie Adams, and the second on a cross from David Lilly.”
Schwab’s second goal of the evening came less than three minutes into the second half at 47:18 when he brought the score to a 3-0 final off a feed from David Lilly (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.). Despite not scoring a collegiate goal before this season, the junior now leads the team with a total of five goals this season.
The Gusties finished with a 13-9 shots advantage.
Braden Schmid (Sr., West Fargo, N.D.) and Brett Ylonen (Sr., Lake Elmo, Minn.) once again split time in nets and combined for a second straight shutout. Schmid turned away two shots in the first half, while Ylonen made one save in the second. Mike Arguello suffered the loss for the Lutes, allowing three goals and making one save.
Coach Middleton was pleased to see his squad move the ball quickly and with purpose throughout the match. “I have to say, we were very good tonight,” he said. “Nice debuts for Matt Murakami, Isaac Bloom, and Philip Evans who all enjoyed their first time on the pitch.”
“The game was played in the backdrop of Mount Rainier with the moon high over the snow covered mountain. It was a terrific sight and a beautiful night for soccer,” Middleton concluded. “I have to say, the lads were a pleasure to watch and that added to the enjoyment of the scenery. This was a top-class performance against a very good team.”