Men’s Soccer Outlasts Saint John’s 2-1 in Double Overtime

BOX SCORE

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s soccer team erased a 1-0 deficit Saturday and outlasted Saint John’s in double overtime, winning 2-1. The Gusties extend their unbeaten streak to nine, paired with a five-match winning streak, improving to 10-1-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the MIAC, which keeps them on top of the league standings with 19 points.

“That’s one of the most satisfying results of my career,” Head Coach Tudor Flintham said. “It wasn’t our prettiest game, but to be honest I think we needed that. We haven’t conceded the first goal in a game since September 9, so finding out that we’ve got the ability to grind out a result from a difficult situation is a massive positive. The attitude and effort from the guys was phenomenal all around. Guys gave everything, both on the pitch and in the way they supported their teammates. It was a hectic back and forth transition-based game today, but once the coaching staff heard what the group was talking about at halftime we felt very confident that the goals would come.”

Saint John’s scored its lone goal of the match in the 12th minute and carried a 1-0 lead into halftime. In the 55th minute, Luke Laurich (Jr., Batavia, Ill.) knotted the score at 1-1 with his third goal of the season. Matt Gibbons (So., Minneapolis, Minn.) crossed from the right side, finding Laurich who connected on a header into the left side of the goal.

The Gusties outshot the Johnnies 8-4 in the second half but couldn’t get one past the keeper and the match was sent to overtime.

Gustavus played on its heels for much of the first overtime as the home team outshot the Gusties 4-0. But Gustie keeper Anders Severson (Sr., Woodbury, Minn.) was up to the challenge by making every stop.

Finally, in the 106th minute, Trace Dobson (So., Sioux Falls, S.D.) crossed a pass into the box, finding Arthur Parens (Sr., Wayzata, Minn.) who benefitted with an open shot in the center of the net for his team-leading seventh goal of the season.

Gustavus finished the game outshooting the Johnnies 19-16. Severson made eight saves.

“They have only conceded one goal in the second half all season. So the reaction was perfect,” Flintham said. “We couldn’t be prouder, but again our focus has to shift to recovering and getting prepared for another big game on Monday.

“[Former Gustavus coach] Larry Zelenz also surprised us at the game and spoke to the guys after. The boys were really fired up to meet the man who built the legacy we are trying to build on. He had a few wise words to share and it’s really fun to know that coach Larry is keeping an eye on the three crowns and cheering on the black and gold.”

The Gusties next host Saint Mary’s at 4 p.m. Monday.