SAINT PETER, Minn. – After enjoying nearly a week off, the Gustavus men’s soccer team is back in action Saturday at MIAC foe Saint John’s. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. at Haws Field. The Gusties enter the matchup on top of the MIAC standings with 16 points at 5-0-1 and 9-1-1 overall, while the Johnnies are four points behind at 4-2 and 8-2-1 overall.
The Series: Saturday’s match marks the 66th all-time meeting between the Gustavus and Saint John’s programs with the Gusties leading the series 28-24-13. Last season the Gusties defeated the Johnnies 2-0 in Saint Peter with both goals coming off the foot of Arthur Parens.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus is currently on an eight-match unbeaten streak with four consecutive wins. The Gusties most recently defeated Bethel 3-1 last Saturday in Arden Hills. After 11 matches this season, the Gusties average 2.09 goals per game and allow 0.82. Matt Gibbons leads the team in scoring with 14 points (5th/MIAC) on five goals and four assists. Parens has the most goals with six (4th/MIAC) for 12 points. Scott Heinen has a team-high five assists. Anders Severson leads the MIAC with a .881 save percentage. He also boasts a 0.60 goals against average.
Scouting the Johnnies: Saint John’s has won its past two matches, most recently beating UM-Morris 3-0 on Sunday. Through 11 games this season, the Johnnies average 2.0 goals per game and allow 0.73. Ben Becker leads the team in scoring with seven goals and an assist for 15 points. Andrew Weiler has a team-high four assists. The Johnnies have used a two-keeper system with Payton Spencer and Nicholas French. Spencer is 4-1-1 with a 0.32 goals against average and a .875 save percentage, while French is 4-1 with a 1.16 goals against average and a .760 save percentage.