ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team continues on the road Thursday as they take on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire at Bollinger Fields in Eau Claire, Wis.
The 2-5 (0-0 WIAC) Blugolds host the 4-1-1 (1-1 MIAC) Gusties at 4 p.m.
Last weekend the Gusites suffered their first loss of the season at St. Olaf College by the score of 3-1.
The Oles wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as they scored the first goal in the eighth minute. Six minutes later the Oles added another goal off a corner kick to take a 2-0 advantage. Another St. Olaf corner kick resulted in the third goal of the game as a header found the back of the net in the 22nd minute. The Gusties broke the shutout in the 28th minute as Abby Mullenbach (Fy., Lakeville, Minn.) scored her first collegiate goal, assisted by Josie Mazzone (Jr., Rapid City, S.D.). Neither team could find the goal in the second half and the home team walked away with a 3-1 victory. Ashley Becker (So., Farmington, Minn.) suffered her first loss of the season after making seven saves.
The Black and Gold have found success with its team depth and balanced scoring. 15 Gusties have found their name on the scoring sheet and 93 percent of those have at least two points on the season. Gustavus owns 13 players that have found the back of the net through six games and Paula Miller (Jr., Rapid City, S.D.) is the lone Gustie with more than one goal with two.
Gustavus owns a 5-5-1 all-time record against UW-Eau Claire. Last season, the Gusties and the Blugolds tied 2-2 after double-overtime during the season opener at Gustie Soccer Field.
UW-Eau Claire is coming off a 1-0 victory over Hamline University in Eau Claire, Wis. Senior Caroline Henderson has led the Blugolds with four goals and one assist for nine points, including one game-winner. Goalkeeper Sammie Lefaive has started five games in goal, recording 33 saves for a 1.47 goals against average.