The Gustavus men’s soccer team used an early Justin Eglseder goal to propel them past Bethel 2-0 in Arden Hills, Minn. on Saturday afternoon. The senior defender found the back of the net for the second-straight match, burying the game winner at the 9:01 mark. The Gusties pick up three points with the victory, improving to 4-1-1 in the MIAC and 11-1-1 overall. Bethel drops to 2-3-0 in league play and 7-3-2 overall.
“It was a very good performance, and an entertaining game for the spectators to watch,” said Head Coach Mike Middleton about the game. “We controlled large swathes of match against a pretty well-organized opponent. The team shape was very good, and we moved the ball dynamically. I was very pleased.”
The Gusties outshot Bethel 27-15 in the match, blistering Royal goalkeeper Leif Sundberg with 16 shots on goal. Sundberg allowed both Gustavus goals and made 14 saves in a complete game loss.
The eventual game-winner struck by Eglseder in the ninth minute came on a cross by Mark Adams. The assist is Adams’ first point since he scored four points (1G, 2A) against Buena Vista on Sept. 21. Eglseder’s goal, his sixth of the season, is also his fourth of the game-winning variety.
Doug Frey continued to find a way to score against league opponents 30 minutes later, knocking home a Grant Steine assist at 39:10 to bring the game to a final at 2-0. Frey now has five goals on the year, four of which have come against MIAC opponents.
“Mark Adams set up the first goal beautifully, with a dynamic run and cross to Justin Eglseder who finished with some aplomb. The second goal came after a number of passes and excellent ball movement, then a quick, incisive one-two in the box between Grant Steine and Doug Frey, who finished clinically,” said Middleton.
The two squads played scoreless soccer for the remaining 45 minutes of the match. Gustavus recorded 16 shots to Bethel’s eight in the second frame.
Brett Ylonen picked up the win between the goal posts, improving to 9-1-1 on the year. Ylonen made six saves in the match.
The Gustavus men’s soccer team will return to St. Peter, Minn. on Wednesday Oct. 12 for a 4:00 p.m. match against league opponent Hamline. Hamline enters the match at 1-3-2 in the MIAC and 3-7-2 overall.
“A couple of good games coming up this week – that will certainly be something for the team to relish, and although the season may be heading into the home stretch, we are desperate to keep playing. The lads do not want this to end anytime yet. Well done to all of them,” said Middleton.