Zach Brown works to Concordia's Joe Thomas in Saturday's 2-0 win. Photo courtesy of Jim Cell - Concordia Sports Information Director
Moorhead, Minn. – In what was its fourth match over a nine day span, the Gustavus men’s soccer team came away with a 2-0 victory over Concordia College on Saturday afternoon at the Jake Christensen Athletic Complex Soccer Field. The Gusties received goals from Ryan Tollefsrud (Sr., Spearfish, S.D) in the 13th minute and Zach Brown (Sr., Eau Claire, Wis.) in the 79th minute en route to their fifth straight win. Gustavus improves to 8-2-0 overall and 2-0-0 in the MIAC, while Concordia drops to 0-7-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the MIAC.
“The lads played well today,” said Head Coach Mike Middleton following the match. “We kept the ball nicely and dominated possession throughout the game. A good run all around – not bad after a long five hour drive!”
Gustavus put a goal on scoreboard early when at the 12:26 mark, Ryan Tollefsrud scored off a corner kick taken by Patrick Leach (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.). With the goal, Tollefsrud’s scoring-tear continues. He has registered a point in six consecutive matches, which includes three straight matches with a goal and a total of 12 points (5G, 2A) over the course of the scoring-run.
“We scored two top class goals today,” said Middleton. “The first after some clever work from Konnor Tranoris and a goal-poachers finish from Tolly.”
After nearly 80 minutes of scoreless soccer following Tollefsrud’s eventual game-winner, Zach Brown added an insurance goal at 78:59 on an assist from Nick Kieser (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.). With the goal, Brown has scored in two straight matches and now has a team-leading seven on the year.
“The second was really, really nice,” Middleton added. “A beautiful cross from Nick Keiser – who was rampant all afternoon down the left – followed by an excellent run with a calm finish on the volley from Zach Brown. It was a technically difficult finish made to look very easy by the striker.”
Gustavus finished the match with a 9-4 edge in shots and a 17-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Goalkeeper Braden Schmid (Sr., West Fargo, N.D.) made two saves on the way to his first complete-match shutout of the season. Concordia keeper Ben Glogoza took the loss after allowing both goals and making four saves.
“We created a hatful of chances throughout and limited them to very little,” Middleton said. “A commanding performance in goal from Fargo native Braden Schmid who is looking like he’s in top form.”
Coach Middleton was also pleased with the performance of his back line and senior midfielder Eric Schneider. “Commanding performances on defense and an excellent showing from freshman Matt Murakami. He looked like the cats whiskers today. Man of the match performance from Eric Schneider as well. He was top class on the ball and so responsible defensively.”
The Gustavus men’s soccer team will now be allowed some rest with no mid-week matches on its schedule. The Gusties will be back on the pitch Saturday, Sept. 27 when they play host to Saint John’s University at 1:00 p.m. on the Gustie Soccer Field.