Women’s Soccer Spoils Nebraska Wesleyan’s Home Opener, Posts 3-0 Shutout

BOX SCORE

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team opened its season with a 3-0 victory at Nebraska Wesleyan University Thursday.

Goaltender Ashley Becker (So., Farmington, Minn.) made five saves to record her 12th career shutout and the Gusties received goals from Josie Mazzone (Jr., Rapid City, S.D.) and Hannah Sturtz (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.).

The first period left both squads scoreless.

“Nebraska Wesleyan took it to us and we struggled to find our rhythm in the first half,” said Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie. “We made some adjustments in the second half and some of our veterans picked it up and played with some fire and grit. We found ourselves in more control of the ball and started to play the way we want and know we can.”

Mazzone wasted little time in the second period, scoring her first collegiate goal just two and a half minutes in with an assist from Paula Miller (Jr., Rapid City, S.D.). Mazzone streaked down the right side to receive the ball inside the box, settled it well and calmly placed it inside the netting on the far side. “It was awesome to have her score such a great goal as she’s been such a consistent player throughout her career,” said Burnett-Kurie.

Sturtz doubled the Gustie lead in the 81^st minute after Jana Elliott (Sr., Eagan, Minn) played to the ball to Sturtz in the box who cut it back and tucked the ball in the side netting. Sturtz also led Gustavus with two shots on goal. “Hannah came alive last year scoring-wise so it’s awesome to see her break the ice so early in the season,” said Burnett-Kurie.

The Gusties’ third goal resulted from Coursey Edwards (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) doing the dirty work in the middle of the field and then some cheeky combination play in the box between Mazzone and Miller. Their movement and combo play left the Nebraska Wesleyan player sliding for a last ditch effort which resulted in an own goal, giving the Gusties a 3-0 lead in the 89^th minute.

“Emily Odermatt (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.) powered our backline to a strong defensive effort. Lucy Thompson (Fy., Edina, Minn.) and Abby Mullenbach (Fy., Lakeville, Minn.) played a great first collegiate game. The depth on this team is super exciting and promising. At the end of the day, we are proud of the team for making the appropriate adjustments during the game. It shows a lot about their character, drive, and soccer IQ to make those adjustments and find such success in the first game of the season,” Burnett-Kurie commented.

Gustavus outshot Dakota Wesleyan 7-5, while shots on target were 5-5.

Gustavus women’s soccer returns for the home opener Saturday at noon to take on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse at the Gustie Soccer Field.