ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team is set to host Bethel University at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Gustie Soccer Field. The Gusties enter the match with an 8-4-1 overall record and on top of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings with 18 points and a 6-1-0 record. The Royals are 3-10 overall and 0-7 in the MIAC.
Live online coverage of tomorrow’s match begins at 3:30 p.m.
GUSTAVUS LINKS: ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS
BETHEL LINKS: ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS
The Gustavus women’s soccer team held its ground as the top team in the MIAC with a 1-0 win over the College of Saint Benedict on Wednesday in St. Joseph, Minn.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first half as each team posted four shots. In the 62nd minute, Saint Ben’s had a great opportunity to take the lead with a penalty kick but was unable to capitalize as the shot clanged off the cross bar.
With just seven minutes remaining in regulation the Gusties finally found the net with the game’s first and only goal. Emily Skogseth (Fy., Burnsville, Minn.) found Hannah Sturtz (So., Plymouth, Minn.) on top of the 18-yard box and Sturtz buried the shot with authority. The goal was Sturtz’ fourth and the assist was Skogseth’s third of the season.
Gustavus finished with eight shots – four in each half – while the Blazers took a total of 11 shots with seven coming in the final 45 minutes. Gustie keeper Ashley Becker (Fy., Farmington, Minn.) made five saves in the shutout and now has a 1.20 goals against average and a .810 save percentage (1st/MIAC).
After 13 matches this season, Gustie forward Maddison Ackiss (Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska) leads the conference with eight goals.
The Bethel University women’s soccer team lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to St. Catherine University on Tuesday afternoon in St. Paul. Play remained scoreless after the first 74 minutes, but it was St. Kate’s that broke the silence on a game-winning goal with just over 15 minutes of play remaining.
BU came out of the gates looking for their first MIAC win and strung together several scoring opportunities early before the Wildcats defense took over the game. The Royals and SCU battled through the remainder of the first half that saw five shots from Bethel and seven shots from St. Catherine.
The defensive struggle would carry deep into the second half. With just over 15 minutes left in the game Gabby Scundi scored for the Wildcats on a pass from Elly Leyva. St Kate’s defense didn’t let up, as they held the Royals scoreless for the remainder of the contest. BU struggled on offense as they were outshot 2-7 in the second half.
Mikala Smith led Bethel’s offense with one shot-on-goal in two attempts. Julia Perkins and Mikayla Jorgensen both had one shot-on-goal. Jess Gapinski recorded four saves and only allowed one goal. As a team the Wildcats outshot the Royals 14-7 with 5 shots on goal, while the Royals only attained three shots on goal.
After 13 matches this season, three Royals lead the teams with three goals apiece – Savannah Swanson, Smith and Mikayla Nordin. Gapinski is the leading keeper with a 1.89 goals against average and a .732 save percentage.