SAINT PETER, Minn. — The Gustavus women’s soccer team begins its 2022 campaign this week, as the Gusties head west for a pair of non-conference matchups to kick off the regular season.
The Gusties ended the 2021 season finishing fourth in the conference, with an overall record of 11-9 and a conference record of 7-4. Their season ended in a MIAC Semifinal match against eventual playoff champion St. Catherine.
Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie is looking to build off last year’s team chemistry in her 11th season at the helm of the Gustavus women’s soccer team.
“We did a phenomenal job of creating great team chemistry on and off the field last year,” said Burnett-Kurie. “This year we want to continue to add on layers and make sure we are picking up where we left off and only continuing to get better.”
The Gusties graduated five seniors in 2021, among them offensive leaders Katie Ashpole (Chaska) and Page Cocchiarella (Owatonna), who were both named MIAC All-Conference at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
“It’s always challenging when you graduate goal scorers and play makers, but I think what’s really special about this team is our depth. We will be well-rounded in our attack and have people from all different positions stepping up at different times.”
The Gusties return 25 players, while adding seven newcomers to the 2022 roster.
Leading the Gustie offense is senior forward Rachel Rehnelt (Albert Lea), who picked up MIAC Honorable Mention honors last season, leading the 2021 team in assists (five). Her 11 points were second only to Ashpole. Sophomore forward Lillian Selberg (Minneapolis), who made a big splash in her first year as a Gustie, looks to build off the offensive momentum of her 2021 season, in which she earned seven points on two goals and three assists.
Defender Megan King (Sr., Savage) and goalkeeper Abby Goodno (Sr., Little Canada) carry the defensive end of the Gustie roster. King, who was named MIAC Honorable Mention for the second season in a row in 2021, led the team’s defense last season, earning starts in all 20 games and holding Gustie opponents to 1.45 goals per game. Goodno, in her 2021 campaign, earned herself 13 starts and maintained a 1.46 goals-against-average and a 5-4 record in net for the Black and Gold.
“We have a really talented group of players. Our new group is buying into our long-term vision and style of play. Our upperclassmen came in super motivated and ready to hit the ground running. Knowing that we have so many players that can step up in any moment speaks to our depth as a team. That depth will be clutch this year.”
The Gusties face Chapman University at 6 p.m., Sept. 1 for their first match of the 2022 season. The team continues its non-conference competition on Sept. 3 against Cal Lutheran University at 7 p.m.