Hannah Sturtz scored her first career goal for the Gusties in the 3-2 loss to Wartburg.
Waverly, Iowa – The Gustavus women’s soccer team started its two-day tour through Iowa with a 3-2 loss at Wartburg College.
The Knights got on the scoreboard early with a penalty kick goal at the 4:49 mark. Neither team was able to find the back of the net for the remainder of the period as Gustavus fired seven shots to Wartburg’s five.
“We started out slow and apprehensive,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “We picked up our tempo and started to find some rhythm which allowed us to create a couple dangerous opportunities in the latter part of the first half. We were inches away from tying it up. We came out stronger in the second half and had a lot of firsts for the team!”
Wartburg started the second period with a flurry of four shots within three and half minutes of each other, but none of them got into the net. The Gusties then responded with the equalizer at the 52:50 mark on a goal by Maddison Ackiss (Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska) that found the top right corner of the net, assisted by Chaselyn Miller (Fy., Brooklyn Park, Minn.).
“Chase Miller played a great ball into the box that Maddison Ackiss was able to one-time into the back of the net,” Burnett-Kurie said.
It only took Wartburg four minutes to get back in front, though, as the Knights took a 2-1 lead at the 56:51 mark.
Wartburg scored its third and final goal of the day at the 64:35 mark on a rebound.
Four minutes later, the Gusties answered with a goal off the foot of Hannah Sturtz (So., Plymouth, Minn.) that went through on the left side of the net for her first collegiate goal. Emily Skogseth (Fy., Burnsville, Minn.) assisted on the goal. The goal by Sturtz proved to be the last opportunity for the Gusties to score as they didn’t register a shot in the final 20 minutes of play.
“Later in the game we continued to create a few dangerous opportunities, one resulting in Emily Skogseth finding Hannah Sturtz inside the box for another one-time finish,” Burnett-Kurie said.
Ashley Becker (Fy., Farmington, Minn.) suffered her first collegiate loss. Becker made nine saves.
The Knights outshot the Gusties 20-11, including a 15-4 advantage in the second period.
“Even though we conceded three goals, our defense did a very good job to try to slow down their dangerous attack,” Burnett-Kurie said.
Gustavus moves to 0-1-1 overall and next travels to Luther College for a 4 p.m. match Sunday in Decorah, Iowa.
“We are now focused on tomorrow and continuing to grow and develop everyday,” Burnett-Kurie said. “We are still a young team, but the leadership in the program is starting to show which is helping us continue to develop our style of soccer.”
Looks like the team is playing well with four goals in two games. Keep up the hard play against Luther. Go Gusties!!!!