Photo Courtesy of SPX Sports | David Faulkner
SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s soccer team hosted a Sunday afternoon matchup for the first time since 2019. With the 3-0 win over the St. Norbert Green Knights, the Gusties move to 3-2 on the season.
“The first half was as best as we’ve looked probably all season, and we really did dominate the play and missed two or three solid opportunities,” said Head Coach Tudor Flintham. “I thought we dominated where the game was played and in possession. The first 15 minutes of the second half we were able to secure the win with the second goal. Very proud of the guys winning over another regionally ranked team.”
Both teams entered with strong defensive efforts but Gustavus had an edge up in shots, outshooting the Green Knights 12-0. In what appeared to be a scoreless first half, right inside the 18 yard box, Scott Heinen (Sr., Aurora, Ill.) made a pass to Matthew Gibbons (Sr., Minneapolis) to find the lower left corner of the net and initiate Gustie scoring in the last twenty seconds of the first half.
Looking to continue the momentum, nine minutes into the second half Heinen found Owen Johnson (So., Apple Valley) wide. Johnson then passed to Finn Dowling (Fy., Chaska) who beat out a Green Knight defender on the dribble and launched the ball into the top right corner for a 2-0 Gustavus lead.
That lead held steady until the final minute of regulation when Tim Whiteman (Sr., Brainerd) assisted Nick Katzman (Jr., Minneapolis) on a breakaway into the bottom left corner of the net.
Newcomer Egan Bedwell (Fy., Milwaukee, Wis.) was credited with shutout making one save.
“Egan’s been fantastic. With three of his first college starts winning over three of the best teams of the country, he doesn’t get rattled. As Wes heals up, him and Egan will continue to push each other the rest of the season.”
The Gusties are back in action when they travel to St. Scholastica for a 4 p.m. kick off.