The Gustavus women’s soccer team opened its 2005 season with an exciting 2-1 win over UW-Whitewater in St. Peter. Senior captain Samantha Engh scored the gamewinning goal with 1:45 left in regulation to give the Gusties the victory. Engh took a pass from midfielder Amy Larson in the middle of the field took two dribbles towards the net and drove the ball past UW-Whitewater goaltender Julie Ott and into the upper left corner of the goal.
Gustavus opened the scoring in the contest when Amy Larson collided with Warhawk goaltender Julie Ott causing the ball to squirt free. Larson stayed on her feet after the collision, collected the ball and pushed it into an open net to give the Gusties a 1-0 lead at the 6:18 mark of the first half.
UW-Whitewater tied the score at 1-1 when senior midfielder Ashley Willich re-directed a ball past Gustavus goalkeeper Tori Boughton from six-yards out at the 9:15 mark of the first half. The ball had deflected off a Gustavus defender on a Warhawk corner kick. The first half ended with the score tied 1-1. UW-Whitewater held a 9-6 shot advantage in the first half.
The Gusties controlled play for the better part of the second half and had several excellent scoring opportunities including three shots that hit the goalpost. Gustavus outshot the Warhawks 9-6 in the second half.
Tori Boughton picked up the win in the nets for Gustavus. She recorded eight saves. Julie Ott suffered the loss in the nets for UW-Whitewater. She recorded five saves.
UW-Whitewater will now play Macalester at Gustavus on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1:00 pm. Gustavus will host UW-Stevens Point on Sunday at 1:00 pm.