Arthur Parens (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring the overtime game-winner. (photo courtesy of Christopher Mitchell)
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s soccer team Saturday added to the storied legacy of the program, earning its record 15th Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship with a 1-0 overtime victory at Macalester. It’s the first regular season title for the Gusties since 2013 as they complete the 2018 MIAC season 8-1-1.
The match was a true conference championship game as the Scots also entered with 22 points and a 7-1-1 league record.
The golden goal came in the 99th minute after a free kick, which was a result of a Macalester yellow card. On the set piece, Matt Gibbons (So., Minneapolis, Minn.) fired the free kick on goal from 30 yards out. The keeper made a diving save to his right, but the rebound deflected directly to Arthur Parens (Sr., Wayzata, Minn.) who tapped in his team-leading 10th goal of the season.
“We’ve been working really hard this season, preparing and working to be the best,” Parens said. “Today was a result of that. Every single player on or off the field wants to win as much as the next person, making us such a tight knit and hard working family. Teams are made from great relationships and the correct environment for growth. We push each other and want it more than anyone else. That’s why we’re a great team.”
The first period saw Macalester outshoot Gustavus 7-6 before the home team took control of possession in the second period, outshooting the visitors 13-1. The Gusties played defensively for a majority of the match, but stood up to the challenge and kept a clean sheet.
Anders Severson (Sr., Woodbury, Minn.) made five saves in goal, improving his record to 12-1-1.
“What an awesome feeling,” Head Coach Tudor Flintham said. “The guys are obviously buzzing, but part of that is because we went in with a real confidence that we were going to get this done. I thought we played well in the first half and both teams looked full of quality and attacking intent. It was a great advert for a conference championship decider. We lost a little momentum when half time came, but gutting it out defensively, and then scoring a walk-off winner sums up our season so far; we leave it late, and apparently like a little drama.
“We’re all really proud of the full squad performance today and also really proud to be Gusties in general. It felt like a home game with the support we had. There must have been 150 Gustie soccer alum there. Larry Zelenz and the championship teams from ‘93 and ‘00 were at the game to; both also won championships on that field in OT. So there was something extra special about the way things played out today.”
Gustavus (14-2-1) is the No. 1 seed entering next week’s MIAC playoffs. The Gusties have a first round bye and will host the lowest remaining seed (No. 4 St. Thomas, No. 5 Augsburg, or No. 6 Hamline) at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Gustie Soccer Field.
New coach has transformed the team this year and I thank him for that. Now these guys have great memories, and they’re not done yet.