SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team hosts Saint Mary’s at 3:30 p.m. Saturday for its first home conference game of the season. The Gusties enter the contest 0-5 overall and 0-1 in the MIAC, while the Cardinals are 4-1 overall and 0-1 in the league.
The Series: Saturday’s game marks the 43rd matchup between Gustavus and Saint Mary’s with the Cardinals leading the all-time series 19-18-5. Last season the Gusties defeated SMU 2-0 in the pouring rain on Oct. 9 in Saint Peter. Abby Mullenbach (Sr., Lakeville) scored the game-winner in the 55th minute and Emily Skogseth added an insurance goal 20 minutes later. Abby Goodno (So., Little Canada) stopped all eight shots on goal faced.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus has had a tough go to start the season, most recently losing its fifth game 3-0 at No. 9 St. Thomas on Tuesday. Katie Ashpole (Jr., Chaska) leads the offense with a goal and an assist while Mullenbach has a goal. Ashley Becker (Sr., Farmington) has started all five games in goal with a 2.71 goals against average and a .705 save percentage. Becker is second in the MIAC with 32 total saves.
Scouting the Cardinals: Saint Mary’s snapped a four-game winning streak Tuesday with a 2-1 loss at St. Catherine to start the conference season. Jordyn Matthews leads the offense with 14 points (4th/MIAC) on six goals and two assists. Mary Loy is second with five points on two goals and an assist. Gabriella Pederson has played every minute in goal with a 0.60 goals against average and a .800 save percentage.