SAINT PETER, Minn. – Katie Ashpole’s (Jr., Chaska) second goal with less than four minutes remaining in the game put the Gustavus women’s soccer team on top of Saint Mary’s 2-1, which stood for a final. The Gusties move to 1-5 overall and 1-1 in the MIAC while the Cardinals are 4-2 overall and 0-2 in the league.
The game started on a negative note as an injury 30 seconds in delayed the game 15 minutes. After the injury timeout, Saint Mary’s took a 1-0 lead at the 7:34 mark. A few minutes later, lightning struck within the 15-mile radius and a 30-minute delay ensued.
Following the second game break, the Gusties knotted the score at 1-1 in the 26th minute as Ashpole scored on an assist from Taylor Hemme (Jr., Eden Prairie). At halftime, the scoreboard read 1-1 with the Gusties outshooting the Cardinals 9-3.
The game was a back and forth affair in the second half with the Gusties finally breaking through at the 86:35 mark as Rachel Rehnelt (So., Albert Lea) found Ashpole open in the box for a clean look at the goal and Ashpole lofted a shot over the keeper for what proved to be the game-winning goal.
The Gusties outshot the Cardinals 16-8 in the game. Ashley Becker (Sr., Farmington) made two saves in her first win of the season.
“We handled two big moments of adversity well,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “We know that our belief had to come before the result and that showed today. Everyone put in full effort and we’re excited to roll this momentum into Monday.”
Gustavus returns to action 4 p.m. Monday, hosting Northwestern-St. Paul in non-conference action.