WAVERLY, Iowa – The Gustavus men’s soccer team started its 2016 season with a 5-3 loss at Wartburg College Thursday evening.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted but still a good performance,” Gustavus Head Coach Mike Middleton said. “The game could have gone either way.”
After 10 minutes of play, the ensuing 10 minutes resulted in a flurry of goals. Gustavus started the scoring at the 10:12 mark on a goal from Arthur Parens (So., Wayzata, Minn.) as he found the lower right corner of the net. Wartburg answered nearly five minutes later with a dribbler through the lower left side of the goal. The Knights then took a 2-1 lead two minutes later on a goal that went through the middle-left side of the net. And at the 20:04 mark, the Gusties netted the equalizer off the foot of Matt Ouren (So., North Mankato, Minn.) and the two squads went into halftime tied 2-2.
Wartburg wasted little time regaining the lead, scoring just 35 seconds into the second half on a goal through the upper right corner. The Knights then took advantage of an open net in the 54th minute to take a 4-2 advantage. But the Gusties would not go quietly as Patrick Roth (Sr., Stillwater, Minn.) found the right side of the goal with the assist of Alex Wilson (Jr., Ashland, Wis.).
As time was winding down, Roth nearly netted the equalizer in the 87th minute on a header, but the Wartburg keeper made a diving save. On the ensuing possession, the Knights went the length of the pitch and added an insurance goal as a shot found its way to the back of the net through the lower right side.
Matt Bateman (So., Savage, Minn.) started in goal for the Gusties and made nine saves. His counterpart, Paul Koebke Barsic, made seven saves.
“We had a couple chances to go ahead, but it wasn’t the result we wanted,” Middleton said. “The performance was good and I’m excited about the way we played. Wartburg was a very good team and they played very well. The referees said it was a very well played game and were surprised it was the first game of the season. It was a very good performance.”
The Gusties return to St. Peter, Minn. for their home opener at 3 p.m. Saturday against St. Scholastica. Gustavus is hosting a three-team round robin over the weekend, which also includes Knox College. St. Scholastica and Knox start play at 5 p.m. Friday.