The Gustavus men’s soccer team kept its hopes alive for the MIAC regular season title with a 1-0 win over Macalester in St. Peter, Minn. on Tuesday afternoon. Brett Vander Streek (So., Pella, Iowa) scored the game-winner for the Gusties off an assist from Fraser Horton (So., Helena, Montana) in the seventh minute of the match. Gustavus moved into a first place tie with Carleton after posting the win over the Scots. The Gusties play at St. Thomas on Saturday, while the Knights play at St. Olaf with the conference title on the line.
Gustavus and Macalester battled a stiff 35 mph wind throughout the match and the strong breeze definitely had an effect on the play on the pitch. The Gusties controlled play early in the match and scored the game-winner when Fraser Horton broke down the left side of the field and sent a hard cross into the box that Bret Vander Streek one-timed into the lower left corner of the net at the 7:30 mark.
The Gusties did have several other solid scoring opportunities in the first half, but could not get the ball past Ryan Palmer into the Macalester net. The Scots had a good opportunity late in the first half when Carson Goricky sent a ball across the top of the box that Adric Mueller sent just wide of the top right corner of the net.
Gustavus out-shot Macalester 11-5 in the game and held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks. Ryan Palmer made three saves for the Scots, while Trevor Brown (Sr., Madison, Wis.) made two saves for the Gusties.
Gustavus improves to 13-3-1 overall and 8-1-0 in the MIAC, while Macalester falls to 7-6-4 overall and 4-4-1 in the MIAC. Conference regular season play ends on Saturday, while the MIAC Post-Season Playoffs begin with two semifinal matches next Wednesday, Oct. 31 at sites yet to be determined.