MANKATO, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team got back to its winning ways with a convincing 6-0 shutout over Bethany Lutheran College in non-conference play Wednesday evening, improving to 6-4-1 overall.
“We started out really strong today as we knew we couldn’t take Bethany Lutheran lightly,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “They’ve had a strong season so far and some big wins. Our players rose to the occasion and helped us get on the scoreboard early.”
It didn’t take long for the Gusties to score what proved to be the game-winner as Emily Skogseth (Fy., Burnsville, Minn.) scored her first collegiate goal just :28 seconds into the match. Maddison Ackiss (Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska) and Brittany Chase (Sr., Victoria, Minn.) assisted on the goal. Ackiss then found the back of the net at the 4:10 mark for her team-leading eighth goal of the season, assisted by Chase. Forty-two seconds later, Coursey Edwards (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) put the Gusties up 3-0 with her first goal of the season – Chaselyn Miller (Fy., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Sophie Leininger (So., Plymouth, Minn.) were credited with the assists. Nearly four minutes later Skogseth tallied her second goal of the game off a corner kick. And in the 17th minute, Hannah Sturtz (So., Plymouth, Minn.) registered her third goal of the season and the Gusties held a comfortable 5-0 lead at halftime. Sturtz’ goal was assisted by Leininger, who leads the Gustie women with seven assists on the season.
Gustavus was incredibly efficient with its first half shots as it scored five goals on seven shots in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half showed much less offense, but Paula Miller (Fy., Rapid City, S.D.) headed in her first career goal in the 67th minute on an assist from Chase to give the Gusties a 6-0 advantage, which stood for a final score. The Black and Gold doubled its first half shot production from seven to 14 shots for a total of 21 on the day. The Vikings took nine shots in the first half and only one in the second as Gustie keeper Ashley Becker (Fy., Farmington, Minn.) made five saves in 90 minutes.
“Even though we only put one in the back of the net, the second half was a much more consistent, solid 45 minutes,” Burnett-Kurie said. “We had some fantastic periods of possession where we moved the ball with creativity and deceptiveness.
“What a great overall game for us to play everyone for significant minutes and many players showed their talent. Emily Skogseth scored her first two collegiate goals, and Paula Miller had her first collegiate goal. Brittany Chase had a solid three-assist game. On top of that Katie Johnson, Kendyl Landeck and Courtney Bianchi-Rossi all had standout performances.
“Now it’s on to a battle of two of the top teams in the MIAC on Saturday at home.”
Gustavus returns to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at 3:30 p.m. Saturday as it hosts Augsburg College (9-2-0 overall, 4-1-0 MIAC).