EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team played two overtimes to end in a 1-1 tie against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire at Bollinger Fields Thursday.
The Gusties move to 4-1-2 overall on the season. The tie marks the Gusties second double-overtime draw of the season, as they last tied UW-River Falls Sept. 7.
The Gusties took a 1-0 lead at the 60th minute of the first period with a goal from Emily Skogseth (So., Burnsville, Minn.), assisted by Hanna Sturtz (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.). Skogseth’s second goal of the season ties for the team lead.
UW-Eau Claire pulled even with just eight seconds remaining in the game when Emilly Sullivan scored unassisted to keep the Blugolds alive and knot the score at 1-1.
Each squad was unable to find the back of the net in the two overtime periods.
“The team battled hard,” said Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie. “It was a physical and mental battle today and when we look back on it we can see that we were able to ride the highs and lows. We could have crumbled after they tied the game with eight seconds left but we showed our mental strength and put together two solid overtime periods.”
After Gustavus outshot UW-Eau Claire 3-1 in the first period, the Blugolds grabbed the momentum in the following periods. They outshot the Gusties 13-7 from the second period through the second overtime.
UW-Eau Claire outshot the Gusties 14-10 during the 110-minute battle. The Gusties had eight corner kick opportunities to the Blugold’s five. Maddison Ackiss (Sr., Fairbanks, Alaska) led the Black and Gold with four shots, two being on goal.
“We know how much potential this team has and need to continue to work everyday towards achieving that,” Burnett-Kurie said.
Gustavus returns to league action Saturday afternoon at No. 10 University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.