Lauren Johnson heads a ball out of the Gustavus box. (photo courtesy St. Thomas sports information)
REDLANDS, Calif. – The Gustie women’s soccer team got its season off on the right foot with a decisive 4-1 victory over Redlands. The Gusties relied on veteran leadership on the field, and youth between the posts to achieve the victory.
Emily Skogseth
Gustavus scored the first four goals of the contest, with the four top returning point-scorers for the Gusties from 2017 each notching one. Lauren Johnson (So., Woodbury, Minn.) converted a free kick in the 18th minute and Chase Miller (Sr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) followed suit six minutes later with a free kick goal of her own. The Gusties continued to lean on experience as Emily Skogseth (Sr., Burnsville, Minn.) and Abby Mullenbach (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) both scored in the second half to give the team a 4-0 cushion.
“Our upperclassmen were fantastic,” said Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie. “We scored two incredible free kicks and then finished two opportunities in the box. We created a few other dangerous opportunities and their goalkeeper came up with some great saves.”
Abby Goodno (Fy., Little Canada, Minn.) got the start in the net for the Gusties and allowed just one goal on the night while recording eight saves. The one goal she allowed came off a shot ball that ricocheted off a Gustie defender and directly to an open Redlands player for an easy punch in goal.
“Abby was solid in the net,” said Burnett-Kurie. “She looked like a veteran with her decision making and was smart as time was ticking down.”
Gustavus was outshot by Redlands by a tally of 17-9 but took advantage of their opportunities and found the back of the net with a high shot percentage.
Of her teams efforts in the contest, Burnett-Kurie said, “Ultimately we worked super hard and worked for each other. This team has a ton of potential and we are excited everyday to get closer and closer to reaching that potential.”
The Gusties will continue play tomorrow as they will once again play in Redlands but will be taking on Chapman University.