SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s soccer team was upset in the MIAC semifinals by Augsburg 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon at the Gustie Soccer Field. The top-seeded Gusties outshot the No. 5 Auggies 18-2, but were unable to find the back of the net in a season-ending loss. After winning its record 15th MIAC regular season championship, Gustavus finishes the season 14-3-1.
Augsburg scored the lone goal of the game in the 37th minute. A Gustie foul set up a free kick just outside the box, which was sent in to the far post and knocked in for the goal.
Gustavus had a number of scoring opportunities in the second half, but the Auggie keeper and defense stood up to the challenge.
Not the way we wanted the season to end, a very one-sided game tipping towards an Augsburg team that showed very little. However, the Gustavus squad completed a season that was obviously a very enjoyable one for them. The change of coach was refreshing and although they all deserved much more, winning the MIAC season was a great achievement. As an old sports coach, also a regular supporter of the team, I can only hope that the College find a way to provide better facilities for future soccer teams. The pitch is a disgrace and does not help soccer players who are trying very hard to play the game the right way. Had we have played Augsburg away, on their turf field, I’m convinced the result would have been very different, and we would be going forward to the finals.
Fingers crossed for a deserved offer coming our way for regionals.
It’s surprising that the pitch is a disgrace… When I played 10-15 years ago, our surface was the best natural grass field period.
I looked at the pictures of the game and the field didn’t appear to be in noticeably bad shape…
Also, I have coached at nearly every level, and there are ZERO excuses for losing — field conditions, weather, refereeing, etc. — except that you couldn’t do what you needed to win. That being said, it was obviously a one-sided game with the shots being 18-2, it sounds like it was just one of those games where they couldn’t get the ball to bounce in their favor…
Final thought —We lost in a shootout to St. John’s in the MIAC Semis in 2005 in a game we dominated (probably 18-2 in shots), but were able to get an at large bid into the NCAA Tourney and made it to the National Championship Game. Hopefully the team can do the same this year and WIN it all! 😊