ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team will split a home and away game this weekend. The Gusties play at Bethel University on Saturday before returning home Sunday to host a non-conference matchup against Wartburg College.
The Gusties are coming off a 2-1 victory over Saint Benedict on Tuesday, moving their record to 6-4-2 (3-4 MIAC). The Black and Gold got off to an early lead in the first period to eventually prevail over the Blazers. Not much over ten minutes into the first period, Maddison Ackiss (Sr., Fairbanks, Alaska) sent a corner kick into the box to Katie Johnson (So., Duluth, Minn.), who put home her first collegiate goal. Another assist was credited to Ackiss just five minutes later as she ripped a shot that was blocked by a Blazer defender and then ended up on the foot up Emily Skogseth (So., Burnsville, Minn.), who put away her third goal of the season, tieing Ackiss for the team-lead.
Saint Benedict came out with a strong attack in the second period and eventually cut the lead to 2-1 at the 54th minute from a breakaway goal by Taylor Ledin, her team-leading 10th of the season. Despite being outshot by a margin of 10-3 in the second half by the Blazers, the Gustie defense stood strong. Goalkeeper Ashley Becker (So., Farmington, Minn.) tied a season-high with nine saves, including five in the second half to record her sixth win of the season.
Bethel Matchup:
The Gusties travel to Arden Hills, Minn. Saturday to continue Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. Gustavus takes on the Royals at 1 p.m. at Ona Orth Athletic Complex.
Saturday’s game marks the 24th meeting between the Gusties and the Royals. Gustavus owns a 16-7 record over Bethel. Last season, Gustavus defeated Bethel 3-0 at Gustie Soccer Field.
The Royals recently had a 10-game winning streak snapped with a 2-1 loss against St. Catherine University. Bethel boasts a 10-2-1 overall record (5-1 MIAC) and leads the conference with 34 goals on the season. Sophomore Maggie Sipe leads the Royals and and is tied for the MIAC scoring lead with 26 points from nine goals and eight assists. Freshman Goalkeeper Dylan Melby has started in all 13 games, posting a 6-2-1 record and owns a 0.87 goals against average.
Wartburg Matchup:
On Sunday, the Gusties return home to Gustie Soccer Field to host Wartburg College at 2:30 p.m.
The game between the Gusties and the Knights will stand as the 10th all-time matchup. Gustavus owns a 7-2 record over Wartburg and most recently lost by a score of 3-2 last season in Waverly, Iowa.
Wartburg currently owns an overall record of 6-3-2 and is 2-1-1 in Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, sitting in the top-half of the IIAC standings. The Knights face Coe College on Saturday, and most recently tied 0-0 after two overtimes against Loras College. Alyssa Drewelow and Alyssa Hewitt share the scoring lead for the Knights, each with four goals and two assists on the season. Goalkeeper Beth Crow has started all 11 games and is tied for the lead in the IIAC with six shutouts.
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