SAINT PETER, Minn. – Katie Ashpole’s (Jr., Chaska) team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 60th minute Tuesday lifted the Gustavus women’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over Bethel. The victory snaps a five-game losing streak as the Gusties improve to 3-10 overall and 2-5 in the MIAC. The Royals are now 10-3 overall and 4-3 in the league.
“The team really deserves this win,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “They’ve put in a lot of great performances without getting the result. It’s hard to continue to push, stay optimistic, and continue to believe, but today was nice to see the hard work and get the result.”
Neither team could find the back of the net in the opening half with the Royals winning the shot count 10-4. Nearly 15 minutes into the second half, the Gusties took advantage of a corner kick as the ball popped free after the kick, which was controlled by the home team. Lauren Johnson (Jr., Woodbury) then toe-poked the ball to Ashpole who cut her defender, took a touch, and shot it upper 90 on the far post for the goal.
The Royals made it interesting in the final three minutes with multiple shots on goal, but Ashley Becker (Sr., Farmington) was up to the challenge by stopping each shot fired at her, including a leaping save on a shot that would have cleared just below the crossbar.
“She’s a clutch player, great leader, and obviously a great player,” Burnett-Kurie said of Becker. “When we needed her the most she came through. But credit goes to the team in those situations as well. We had multiple people step up in a big time.”
Gustavus next hosts Carleton at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.