SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team Wednesday won its final road game of the season 3-0 at Hamline. The Gusties improve to 5-12 overall and 3-7 in the MIAC, while the Pipers fall to 5-11 overall and 1-9 in the league.
“This was a great team win,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “We had some players step up in big ways and we were able to ride the highs and lows of the game very well.”
Gustavus benefitted on an own goal 1:50 into the contest and held the one-goal advantage throughout the first half.
“We started the game with some great possession, being patient, moving the ball well,” Burnett-Kurie said. “Hamline adjusted well to start the second half and we were on our heels for a while, but did well to fight and battle to keep them from tying it up. We made some great adjustments and our players adapted well. We started to find new pockets of space and created quite a few dangerous opportunities.”
In the 74th minute, Taylor Hemme (Jr., Eden Prairie) scored her first career goal with the help of Page Cocchiarella (Jr., Owatonna). Hemme won a ball in the Gusties’ attacking half, found Rachel Rehnelt (So., Albert Lea), who then passed to Cocchiarella for a partial breakaway against the Hamline center back. Cocchiarella sent a cross 12 yards away from the goal to Hemme who took a touch and tapped it past the Piper keeper.
With less than eight minutes remaining in regulation, Jordan Whalen (Fy., Owatonna) also tallied her first career score with an assist from Hemme. Hemme slotted the ball through the back line to Whalen who took a touch to beat the defender and finished with a simple shot to the right side of the net.
Ashley Becker (Sr., Farmington) earned the shutout victory in goal, making 11 saves. The Gusties outshot the Pipers 13-7.
“Ashley Becker came up with some big saves and our entire team battled hard defensively,” Burnett-Kurie said. “Lauren Johnson had some outstanding moments. We are excited to continue to build off of this win and finish out the season on a high note on Saturday for our senior game.”
Gustavus closes the season 3:30 p.m. Saturday at home against Macalester for its Senior Day.