SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Gustavus men’s soccer team began its 2017 campaign on the right foot, defeating the University of Wisconsin-Superior 1-0 Friday afternoon. The Gusties move their record to 1-0-0 overall as goalkeeper Matt Bateman (Jr., Savage, Minn.) turned away two shots on goal for the shutout and Arthur Parens (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) tallied the lone goal of the game to solidify the season-opening win against the Yellowjackets.
“A good, battling performance today against a stubborn, well-organized team,” said Head Coach Mike Middleton. “This was a good, competitive and controlling game that should prove a good spring-board into the season.”
Gustavus owned a 7-4 advantage in shots at the half before holding UW-Superior to just one shot in the second half. Parens picked up the Gusties first goal of the season at the 76th minute, collecting a rebound after a Matt Gibbons (Fy., Minneapolis, Minn.) shot on goal.
“We created several pretty good chances before the goal,” commented Middleton. “I was pleased with our creativity. Alex Wilson (Sr., Ashland, Wis.) had a couple of one-on-one’s, but their goalkeeper looked a very accomplished player. Matt Gibbons, who looked a real threat also had a very tight one-v-one situation that he almost took very well – unfortunately it slipped inches past the post.”
“The goal came from a really good piece of play from Gibbons; he controlled the ball with great aplomb before curling a shot in from the left side of the penalty box trying to beat the ‘keeper at the back post. The Goalkeeper made the save, but a very alert Arthur Parens was onto the ball in a flash to put the round into the net. Arthur really showed some great game sense, by getting into the position in case of a rebound – he could have so easily just watched and not moved. So, great kudos for him for being switched on,” Middleton said.
Bateman faced just five Yellowjacket shots, two being on goal as he recorded his first shutout of the season and the sixth of his career. Wilson was a leader on the attack with seven shots, three being on goal. The Gusties also held an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks over UW-Superior.
“The defense and the goalkeeping were excellent throughout, limiting their teams chance to very few real opportunities, and the one time they broke through was very late in the game, and a very astute piece of covering from John Anderson (Sr., Maplewood, Minn.) snuffed out the attempt before it really had a chance to develop. The back four of Davis Petros (Jr., Apple Valley, Minn.), Jack Conroy (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn.), Dan Barnes (Jr., Lund, Sweden) and Cody Billings (Fy., Farmington, Minn.) along with central midfield player Jarod Petrovic (So., Plainfield, Ill.) and goalkeeper Bateman put in stellar performances, and looked very composed. I’m really pleased with them, and a clean-sheet for the defense makes their hard-work all worthwhile,” said Middleton.
Next up, Gustavus makes the short trek over to Duluth, Minn. to face the College of St. Scholastica at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
“Its nice to start the season with a win. And, a win away from home at someone’s field. Now its onwards and upwards against St. Scholastica on Sunday,” Middleton concluded.