Matt Murakami scored two goals in the win against Martin Luther.
ST. PETER, Minn. – Playing on the alternative field on campus due to poor field conditions on the Gustie Soccer Field, the Gustavus men’s soccer team claimed its first victory of the season, 5-0 over Martin Luther College, to improve to 1-3 overall.
“A good game for everyone tonight, that needed winning, and the lads deserve great credit for that,” Head Coach Mike Middleton said. “We moved the ball with great tempo, and looked the part for the whole of the game. I was very pleased with the performance.”
Arthur Parens (So., Wayzata, Minn.) scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 22nd minute. Parens broke free in front of the box, shot, recovered the deflection, and buried the second chance.
With five minutes remaining in the first half, Henry Brose (Sr., Hudson, Wis.) streaked down the right side and crossed the ball down to Patrick Roth (Sr., Stillwater, Minn.), which he volleyed the ball and scored through the lower-left corner of the net. Gustavus led 2-0 at the break.
Kyle Monson gathers the ball.
The Gusties went back to work early in the second as Matt Murakami (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) blocked a clearance from the keeper and scored his first goal of the season. Not even five minutes later, Murakami tallied his second goal on a penalty kick. Brose added the fifth and final goal in the 76th minute on a through-ball from Luke Laurich (Fy., Batavia, Ill.) as Brose followed it for a few steps and then took the shot.
“I was really happy for Matt Murakami, who scored a brace as well as playing well,” Middleton said. “Matt is such a hard-worker for the team, really puts in a shift up-front covering large areas of ground. His partner, Arthur Parens, put in another sterling performance looking exceptionally quick, dynamic and dangerous. Patrick Roth and Henry Brose replaced those two up-front, both proving elusive with exceptional movement and interchange.
“The team moved the ball well in central midfield, the wide players played some dangerous balls in, and we created a handful of chances including hitting the crossbar and post on more than one occasion.”
Gustavus fired 28 shots in the game, the most since last season’s opener against Martin Luther. The Knights got off nine shots.
“Several players shone in midfield – I’m really pleased with Isaac Bloom (Jr., Edina, Minn.). He’s developing into a top player at this level,” Middleton said. “Alex Wilson (Jr., Ashland, Wis.) and Brad Williams (Jr., Andover, Minn.) did particularly well, and another good performance from freshman Brock Sullivan (Woodbury, Minn.).
“We looked solid at the back, with both ‘keepers getting some time and looking accomplished. Kyle Monson (So., Verona, Wis.) started his first game of the season, and I was really pleased with his performance. Perhaps the star of the show once again was Dan Barnes (So., Lund, Sweden), who along with his defense partner John Anderson (Jr., Maplewood, Minn.) looked solid, composed, and in control.”
Anders Severson (So., Woodbury, Minn.) started in goal and made one save in 61 minutes of play. Matt Bateman (So., Savage, Minn.) finished off the game and made one save as well.
Gustavus faces St. Mary’s (Md.) at noon Saturday followed by a match against Salisbury State on Wednesday in Maryland.
“We are to Maryland this weekend to play two exceptional teams,” Middleton said. “It’ll be a tough one, but what a chance to show the top teams in another region what we’ve got. This game today has set us up nicely, and we are all really looking forward to the trip.”