The Gustavus women’s soccer team continued to struggle losing to Saint Mary’s 2-0 in St. Peter on Wednesday afternoon. The defeat was the fourth time the Gusties have been shut out in the past two weeks. The score was tied 0-0 at halftime. Saint Mary’s scored what would turn out to be the gamewinner just one minute into the second half and then add the insurance goal at the 63:19 mark. Gustavus is now 3-6-0 overall and 1-3-0 in the MIAC, while Saint Mary’s improves 9-1-1 overall and 2-1-0 in the MIAC.
The match was played in very windy conditions that forced the majority of play to take place with the wind. The Gusties chose the wind in the first half and out-shot the Cardinals 14-2, however Cardinal goalkeeper Jennifer Johnson came up with seven saves and kept the Gusties off of the scoreboard.
The Cardinals used the wind to their advantage early in the second half as first year midfielder Louise Irvine broke the Gustie defense and fired an uncontested shot on goalkeeper Tori Boughton. Boughton made the save, however the rebound deflected right to sophomore forward Lisa Tlougan who drove the ball into an open net at the 46:13 mark giving Saint Mary’s a 1-0 lead.
Saint Mary’s increased its lead to 2-0 midway through the second half when sophomore forward Amy Cory threw a ball up into the wind from about 18 yards out that curled past the outstretched arms of Boughton and into the upper left corner of the net. The assist was credited to Bridgette Baggio.
Gustavus out-shot Saint Mary’s 20-11 in the contest and held a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks. The Cardinals did hold a 9-6 advantage in shots with the wind in the second half. Cardinal goalkeeper Jennifer Johnson, who improved her record to 8-1-1, made 10 saves. Gustavus goalkeeper Tori Boughton recorded four saves.
The Gusties will travel to Northfield to face St. Olaf on Saturday afternoon at 11:00 am. Saint Mary’s will travel to Moorhead to face Concordia at noon on Saturday.