ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team is set to host its home opener 3:30 p.m. Saturday against Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Concordia. The Gusties enter the contest 3-1-1 overall and 1-0 in the MIAC after defeating Carleton 2-0 Tuesday, while the Cobbers are 2-2-1 overall and 0-1 in the league after losing 1-0 against Saint Benedict on Tuesday.
Scouting the Gusties: After starting the season with a 2-0 loss to then-No. 10 ranked UW-Whitewater, the Gusties have since won three of four games, including a 0-0 draw at UW-La Crosse. In the past four games, Gustavus has not allowed a goal against 51 shots. Keeper Ashley Becker (Jr., Farmington, Minn.) has been nothing short of spectacular, recording 21 saves in four-straight shutouts, including a career-high 11 saves in the 0-0 draw against UW-La Crosse. Becker leads the MIAC with 27 saves, while her .931 save percentage and 0.39 goals against average rank third. Chase Miller (Jr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) leads the offensive attack with seven points on three goals and an assist. Hannah Sturtz (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) is close behind with four points on two goals. Sophie Leininger (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) leads the team with three assists.
GUSTAVUS ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS
Scouting the Cobbers: Concordia’s string of three consecutive shutouts ended Tuesday in a 1-0 loss to Saint Ben’s in Moorhead, Minn. The Cobbers gave up a goal 12 minutes into the game and were not able to get one of their two shots past the Blazers keeper. Kalli Baarstad leads the team with five points on two goals and an assist. Hannah Sandin and Andrea Kramer both have three points each with a goal and assist. Maddy Reed has seen the most time as the keeper with five starts, 0.59 goals against average, and .857 save percentage.
CONCORDIA ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS
Team Trina: Saturday’s contest is designated as a charity game for would-be junior midfielder Trina Rinke, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer this summer. A voluntary entrance donation to the game will go to the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, which provides support to women with ovarian cancer while raising awareness and advancing research. Following the game, family and friends are invited to Patrick’s in St. Peter to enjoy food specials, with 25% of the proceeds going directly to MOCA.