SAINT PETER, Minn. – After starting the 2018 season with four non-league matches, the Gustavus men’s soccer team kicks off MIAC play at 4 p.m. today against Carleton at the Gustie Soccer Field. The Gusties are 3-1 overall, most recently defeating Wartburg 2-1 in overtime Sunday, while the Knights are 3-0 after beating North Central (Ill.) 2-1 last Friday.
In the polls: In the United Soccer Coaches regional poll released yesterday, Gustavus is ranked No. 10 in the North Region. St. Thomas, Luther, and St. Norbert are Nos. 1-3, respectively.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus has begun the Tudor Flintham era with a 3-1 record, going 2-0 at home and 1-1 on the road. Arthur Parens (Sr., Wayzata, Minn.) hasn’t missed a step from his impressive 2017 campaign when he led the team with 12 goals. This season, Parens already has a MIAC-leading five goals. Trace Dobson (So., Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Scott Heinen (So., Aurora, Ill.) each have four points – two goals from Dobson and a team-high four assists from Heinen (2nd/MIAC). Matt Bateman (Sr., Savage, Minn.) has started three matches in goal with a 1.33 goals against average and a .600 save percentage.
Scouting the Knights: Carleton has not lost a game to start the season behind strong defensive play. The Knights have allowed only one goal in 280 minutes of play. Aaron Forman has played all three matches as the team’s keeper with a 0.32 goals against average and a .875 save percentage. Four Knights have one goal apiece – Tarek Bos-Shadi, Spencer Weeden, Marco da Cunha, and Alvin Bierley.