Coach Zelenz and the Gustavus men’s soccer team got back on the winning track Sunday with a 3-0 victory over Buena Vista in St. Peter. Mike Butterworth and Ryan Beduhn scored in the first nine minutes of the second half to give the Gusties the lead after going into halftime tied at 0-0. Goalkeeper Trevor Brown posted his fifth shutout of the season making one save. Gustavus improves to 9-2 overall, while Buena Vista’s record drops to 3-7-1.
Gustavus maintained pressure on the Buena Vista defense throughout the first half, but came up empty on several quality scoring chances. Jack Underwood (Fergus Falls, Minn.) missed scoring on a header that hit the crossbar. Minutes later, Mike Butterworth (Katy, Tex.) missed a shot directly in front of the Beaver goalkeeper. Buena Vista was not without its chances either. Ben Welch shot a rocket from three yards out with a scramble in front of the net off a corner kick, but the save was made by Trevor Brown (Madison, Wis.).
Early in the second half, Ben Heupel (Maple Grove, Minn.) served a ball to the middle of the box where Butterworth punched in his eighth goal of the season with a header in the 48th minute. Six minutes later, Ryan Beduhn (St. Cloud, Minn.) scored on a scramble in front of the net after a Gustavus corner kick. Sam Barthell (Bloomington, Minn.) headed a pass to Bret Vander Streek (Pella, Iowa), who beat his defender and beat the goalie to the lower right corner of the net at the 70:00 mark.
Gustavus outshot Buena Vista 38-1 and held a 12-1 advantage in corner kicks. Phillip Wolfe made eleven saves and allowed three goals. Brown improved to 6-0 this season, and has yet to allow a goal.
The Gusties return to MIAC action Saturday, October 6 against Hamline at 1:00 pm in St. Peter.