ST. PAUL, Minn. – It took 109 minutes and 31 seconds for the game’s first goal Wednesday and it was the Gustavus women’s soccer team that claimed a 1-0 double overtime victory at Hamline to capture a crucial MIAC victory. Chase Miller’s (Jr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) team-leading fourth goal of the season with 29 seconds left in the game moved the Gusties to 9-4-3 overall and 5-3-2 in the MIAC, while the Pipers dropped to 8-7-2 overall and 4-5-1 in the league.
“We had a slow start, but still battled hard in the first half and kept them off the board,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said.
Each team posted nine shots in the first 45 minutes.
“In the second half we picked up the tempo and created numerous opportunities,” Burnett-Kurie said. “We had a balanced attacked, while our backline and Ashley Becker (Jr., Farmington, Minn.) held a strong Hamline attack to limited opportunities. Ashley once again came through in crucial times and we used those saves as momentum moving forward.”
Gustavus outshot the Pipers 7-3 in the second half, were even 2-2 in the first overtime, and then outshot the home team again in the second overtime 5-2 for a 23-16 advantage in the entire game. Becker finished the game with 10 saves.
“Both overtimes proved to be exciting,” Burnett-Kurie said. “In the second overtime we had a shot go off the crossbar, and forced their keeper to make a few good saves.”
In the final minute of the game, Sophie Leininger (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) had possession of the ball wide right and found Miller inside the box where Miller fired a one-time shot for the game-winner.
“Sophie did a great job of keeping her composure in a pressure situation with quite a few defenders on her to find Chase in the box,” Burnett-Kurie said. “Chase finished the ball exceptionally well.
“We are proud of the team and excited to use this as momentum headed into Saturday’s matchup.”
Gustavus hosts Macalester at 3:30 p.m. Saturday for its final home game of the regular season. The Gustie victory today coupled with a Macalester tie at Saint Benedict punched at playoff ticket for Gustavus, now making its third consecutive postseason appearance.