ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team today returns to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a 3:30 p.m. contest against the University of St. Thomas. The Gusties enter today’s matchup with an overall record of 3-3-1 and a 2-0 mark in the MIAC, while the Tommies are 3-3 overall and 1-0 in the MIAC.
Live online coverage begins at 3:30 p.m.
GUSTAVUS LINKS: ROSTER | STATS
On an overcast day at the Gustie Soccer Field on Wednesday, the Gustavus women’s soccer team shined through with its third straight shutout victory, defeating the University of Wisconsin-River Falls 1-0.
Gustavus knocked on the door early in the first half with a pair of close shots in the first six minutes of play, but it wasn’t until the 16th minute that it broke through with the game’s only score. Sophie Leininger (So., Plymouth, Minn.) scored her first collegiate goal after she collected a pass from Josie Mazzone (So., Rapid City, S.D.) and fired it past the keeper on the left side of the goal.
The Gusties tallied six shots in the first half and nine in the second for 15 total, while the Falcons took four shots in the first and were unable to get a shot off in the second.
Keeper Ashley Becker (Fy., Farmington, Minn.) made two saves in the shutout victory.
After seven matches this season, Maddison Ackiss (Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska) leads the Gusties with five goals for 10 points. Leininger is the leader in assists with three.
ST. THOMAS LINKS: ROSTER | STATS
St. Thomas won its second straight match last Saturday with a 2-0 decision over Bethel in Arden Hills, Minn.
Hayley Engel (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn.) scored what proved to be the game-winner at the 7:30 mark in the first half. The goal came from assists by Brielle Bierman (So., La Crescent, Wis.) and Mallory DeBoom (Fy., Edina, Minn.).
In the 79th minute, Bierman added an insurance goal for the Tommies on a jumping header with the assist from Sydney Presley (Sr., Austin, Texas) on a cross pass. Grace Maruska (Fy., St. Paul, Minn.) earned her first collegiate victory in goal after recording two saves.
After six matches this season, Bierman leads the Tommies with four goals and four assists for 12 points.