ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team fell to Bethel on Saturday by a final score of 4-3. The loss puts the Gusties at 4-7-1 overall and 1-4-1 in conference play.
The Gusties got off to a quick start in the 3rd minute after Katie Ashpole (So., Chaska, Minn.) received a pass from Chase Miller (Sr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and scored her second goal of the season to take an early 1-0 lead. Bethel answered back with two quick goals in the 10th and 15th minute to put the Royals on top before Rachel Rehnelt (Fy., Albert Lea, Minn.) scored for the Gusties in the 19th minute to even the game at two. The game remained tied until the 55th minute when Bethel regained the lead with another goal, but in the 67th minute Lucy Thompson (Jr., Edina, Minn.) scored her first goal of the season to bring to the Gusties back to even. The game looked like it was headed to overtime until the Royals punched in a goal with less than five minutes remaining to take the victory.
On the contest, coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said, ” Today was a great battle. If someone who wasn’t attached to either school watched, they would have walked away talking about how exciting the game was. Bethel is physical and dangerous in the attack. We scored early, then came from behind twice and unfortunately we haven’t been on the right side of the results lately. The outcome doesn’t take away from our team and we are going to be reinvigorated heading into the last third of the season. Also, we want to give a huge shout out to Renee Beaudry on her induction into the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame. We are so proud of the programs storied history and she certainly left a footprint of greatness.”
The Gusties will next be in action on Tuesday when they play host to Saint Mary’s at 4 p.m.