All-North Region!!

Three years in a row! Congrats to Junior goal keeper Ashley Becker on receiving her third straight All-Region recognition! Everyone who has seen Ashley play between the pipes knows this is a well-deserved honor. Who votes that she go for a fourth?!

Ashley Becker Earns Third Consecutive All-North Region Nod

Posted on November 29th, 2017 by CJ Siewert

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the third consecutive season, Gustavus women’s soccer goalkeeper Ashley Becker (Jr., Farmington, Minn.) has been named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III All-North Team, which was released Wednesday morning. After earning First Team honors in 2015 and Third Team last season, Becker is back on the First Team after claiming MIAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades.

Becker started all 20 games this season, the most by any keeper in the league, and played 1897:54 between the posts. The Farmington product made a conference-best 98 saves to go along with 10 shutouts. She finished the year with a 0.66 goals against average and an .875 save percentage. Becker, who also earned her third-straight All-Conference nod, is the first Gustie women’s soccer player to be named All-MIAC three consecutive seasons since Renee Beaudry (1999-2002). After three seasons, Becker has 285 saves with a 0.91 goals against average and an .836 save percentage.

Becker joins Clara Webby of Macalester, Ashley St. Aubin of Augsburg, and Mallory DeBoom of St. Thomas as MIAC representatives on the 13-member All-North First Team.

United Soccer Coaches Release

Smart on and off the field part 2!

Sophie Leininger does it again! In addition to being named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team, Sophie wins her SECOND Elite 22 Award. This award recognizes the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA who plays in the conference championship game. Sophie previously won this award in 2015. We are so proud and this award is very well deserved!

Sophie Leininger Honored With Second MIAC Elite 22 Award

Posted on November 20th, 2017 by CJ Siewert

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) announced Monday morning its Elite 22 Award winners and Gustavus Adolphus senior midfielder Sophie Leininger (Plymouth, Minn.) has been named the conference’s recipient of the honor for women’s soccer.

Sophie Leininger

The MIAC Elite 22 Award recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. Modeled after the NCAA Elite 90 Award, the MIAC Elite 22 Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest grade point average (GPA) in each sport who meets similarly high, sport-specific athletic requirements.

The Elite 22 Award is the second garnered by Leininger as she captured the honor after the 2015 MIAC playoff championship. Leininger, who was recently named CoSIDA Academic All-District, boasts a 3.99 GPA, majoring in political science and psychological science. The Wayzata product started all 20 games this season as she scored two goals and helped on six others to lead the team in assists. Leininger finished her career with 76 games played, six goals, and 18 assists, which ranks sixth in program history. She received MIAC All-Conference honors after the 2015 Gusties won the league playoff championship and appeared in the NCAA Championships. She was named All-MIAC honorable mention this season.

In the classroom, Leininger has been on the Dean’s List every semester and was on the President’s Honors List last academic year. She was named the Gerhard T. Alexis Scholar last year, holding the highest GPA among the Gustavus junior class. She was also awarded the Holly M. Bunn and Gregory D. Swenson Scholarship, which is based on academics, activities, leadership, and service.

Leininger may have one more distinguished award this year as she is on the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot, which will be announced Dec. 5.

MIAC Release

Smart on the field and in the classroom!

Wow, what a stud! We are so proud of Sophie Leininger for all of her accomplishments on and off the field. Sophie was named a member of the CoSIDA Academic All-District team. Only 11 people are on the district 6 team who are named from institutions from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin! This is such a honorable and deserving award for an incredible person!

Sophie Leininger Named CoSIDA Academic All-District

Posted on November 9th, 2017 by CJ Siewert

GREENWOOD, Ind. – The 2017 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Soccer Teams were released Thursday and Gustavus senior midfielder Sophie Leininger (Plymouth, Minn.) was named to the 11-member District 6 Team, which features student-athletes of institutions from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The CoSIDA Academic All-District Teams recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.

Sophie Leininger

Leininger boasts a 3.99 GPA, majoring in political science and psychological science. Leininger started all 20 games this season as she scored two goals and helped on six others to lead the team in assists. The Wayzata product finished her career with 76 games played, six goals, and 18 assists, which ranks sixth in program history. Leininger received MIAC All-Conference honors after the 2015 Gusties won the league playoff championship and appeared in the NCAA Championships. In the classroom, Leininger has been on the Dean’s List every semester and was on the President’s Honors List last academic year. She was named the Gerhard T. Alexis Scholar last year, holding the highest GPA among the Gustavus junior class. She was also awarded the Holly M. Bunn and Gregory D. Swenson Scholarship, which is based on academics, activities, leadership, and service.

This year’s CoSIDA Academic All-District 6 Team includes just one other member of a MIAC institution – Ashley St. Aubin on Augsburg. First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot, where first-, second-, and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.

CoSIDA Release

MIAC Awards

After the tremendous season we had this year, we had the honor of having five of our players receive MIAC awards! Ashley Becker and Josie Mazzone were both voted onto the all MIAC team while Ashley was also named Defensive Player of the year... What studs! Along with them, Sophie Leininger and Emily Odermatt were named honorable mention and Hannah Sturtz was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team. We are so proud of these deserving and outstanding individuals! 

Becker, Mazzone Named MIAC Women’s Soccer All-Conference

Posted on November 9th, 2017 by CJ Siewert

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its Women’s Soccer Awards Thursday and two Gusties earned All-Conference accolades. Goalkeeper Ashley Becker (Jr., Farmington, Minn.) was named Defensive Player of the Year, while defender Josie Mazzone (Sr., Rapid City, S.D.) joins Becker on the All-MIAC Team. Midfielder Sophie Leininger (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) and defender Emily Odermatt (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn.) were named honorable mention.

Becker becomes the first Gustavus women’s soccer player to earn MIAC Defensive Player of the Year, which was first awarded in 2015. Becker started all 20 games this season, the most by any keeper in the league, and played 1897:54 between the posts. The Farmington product made a conference-best 98 saves to go along with 10 shutouts. She finished the year with a 0.66 goals against average and an .875 save percentage. Becker, who earns her third-straight All-Conference nod, is the first Gustie women’s soccer player to be named All-MIAC three consecutive seasons since Renee Beaudry (1999-2002). After three seasons, Becker has 285 saves with a 0.91 goals against average and an .836 save percentage.

Mazzone also started all 20 games this season, posting two goals and one assist for five points as a defender. Mazzone, who earns her second All-MIAC award, took 21 shots, nine of which were on goal, for a shots-on-goal percentage of .429. She also had one game-winning goal. After four seasons of wearing the Black and Gold, Mazzone played in 73 games with three goals and four assists for 10 points.

Leininger and Odermatt receive honorable mention accolades after starting all 20 games. Leininger scored two goals and helped on six others to lead the team in assists. The Wayzata product finishes her career with 76 games played, six goals, and 18 assists, which ranks sixth in program history. Odermatt spent the entire season at center-back, helping the Gustie defense post 10 shutouts and a 0.66 goals against average – the lowest mark since the 1999 Gusties allowed a 0.63 goals against average. Odermatt finishes her career with 69 games played, three goals, and one assist.

In addition to the All-Conference Team, Hannah Sturtz (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team.

MIAC Release

UPSET NATION X2

Below is a recap of our playoff Semi final game against St. Thomas. It was such an exciting game where both of us battled hard but needed to take it to a shootout to decide who got to move on to the championship. We came out on fire in the first half and Abby Mullenbach was gritty in the box and was able to get on the end of a cross to put us ahead from the start. From then on, St. Thomas was able to put one in the back of the net which proved to be the final goal in regulation and onto PK's we went. Ashley Becker came up with the saves of the century off of their second and third shots to allow our shooters to do what they do best and finish the game. All four of our shooters buried their shots and sealed off the Gustie upset to take us to the ship!

Another Upset, Women’s Soccer Takes Down St. Thomas On Penalty Kicks

Posted on November 1st, 2017 by CJ Siewert

Lauren Johnson heads a ball out of the Gustavus box. (photo courtesy St. Thomas sports information)

BOX SCORE

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Double overtime wasn’t enough to decide a winner in Wednesday’s MIAC women’s soccer semifinal playoff match. Tied 1-1 after 110 minutes and forced to penalty kicks, Gustavus keeper Ashley Becker (Jr., Farmington, Minn.) came up big with two stops and the Gusties, seeded No. 6, made all four attempts to upset No. 2 seed St. Thomas and advance to the MIAC championship game for the second time in three seasons.

It didn’t take long for the Gusties to gain some momentum as Abby Mullenbach (So., Lakeville, Minn.) scored 1:15 into the game, assisted by Emily Skogseth (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.). In the 22nd minute, St. Thomas responded with a goal and the score remained tied 1-1 at halftime.

“It was a very exciting game today,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “Loved the determination and fight we played with. We came out strong from the first whistle, scoring within the first two minutes of the game off a well crafted corner kick. We moved the ball well and had territorial advantage for the majority of the first 15 minutes before they changed shape.”

The Gusties celebrate after winning the penalty kicks. (St. Thomas sports information photo)

In the waning moments of the second half, Becker made a game-saving stop on a Tommie shot fired from inside the box, which eventually led to overtime. Each team got one shot off in the first overtime, and the Tommies recorded the only shot in double overtime, but no goals resulted in penalty kicks.

“Second half we came out with a lot of fight and heart,” Burnett-Kurie said. “We trusted each other and played for each other. Our entire roster dug deep in the second half forcing the game into OT.”

Both teams made their first penalty kick, but Becker made a diving stop on the Tommies’ second attempt. Emily Odermatt (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn.) put the Gusties up one with a make, while Becker followed with another stop on the Tommies’ third attempt. The next attempt by each team was made, but Chase Miller (Jr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) netted the game-winner with a make on the fourth Gustie attempt to complete the upset.

“We’ve been preparing for PK’s and our players trusted their preparation,” Burnett-Kurie said. “They were confident, calm and collected – all of which showed as they buried all four. Absolutely love the fight and heart of this team.”

The Gusties were outshot 15-6 throughout the game, but Becker stood tall in goal with eight saves and two penalty kick stops to earn the win.

Gustavus will travel to the winner of No. 1 Ausgburg and No. 5 St. Catherine, who play at 7 p.m. tonight, for the conference championship at 1 p.m. Saturday.

UPSET NATION

Below is our recap of our quarter final playoff game against St. Olaf. We knew going into this game that it was going to be a hard fought battle against the number three seed. Despite beating St. Olaf 3-0 in the beginning of the season we knew we were going to have to battle and that is exactly what we did. In the dwindling seconds of the first half Ashley Becker came up with what proved to be the game changer for us. Coming up with a huge, tremendous, extraordinary, and amazing save off a St. Olaf penalty kick, we escaped notched at zeros after the second half. From there on we knew that we were in this game and that we were ready to put the ball in the back of the net. We came up with not one, but two early goals in the second half to put us ahead and played solid defensively to earn a Gustie upset in the first round of the MIAC playoffs. 

Women’s Soccer Upsets St. Olaf 2-0 To Advance In MIAC Playoffs

Posted on October 31st, 2017 by CJ Siewert

BOX SCORE

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The final 35 seconds of the first half and the first 34 seconds of the second proved to be the most exciting moments in Tuesday’s MIAC women’s soccer quarterfinal match at No. 3 seed St. Olaf. Gustavus keeper Ashley Becker (Jr., Farmington, Minn.) made a diving penalty kick save at the end of the first half, while Chase Miller (Jr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) worked around a number of defenders in the box and found the left side of the net for a goal to start the second, which proved to be the game-winner in a 2-0 victory for the No. 6 seed Gusties.

“Ashley Becker came up with a massive save on a penalty kick,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “Big time players come up with big time plays.”

The victory moves the Gusties into the semifinal round where they will travel to No. 2 St. Thomas for a 2 p.m. match tomorrow. The last time Gustavus and St. Thomas faced each other in the MIAC playoffs was in 2015, which ended in a 1-0 Gustie victory for the league championship. The Tommies defeated the Gusties 2-0 on Sept. 23 this season in St. Peter.

“Playoffs are an entire new season,” Burnett-Kurie said. “We went into the game with belief and confidence balanced with knowing it was going to be a battle. St. Olaf is a tough matchup, they are technical and dangerous in the final third. Our team battled hard, found a rhythm and figured out a way to win.”

In Tuesday’s quarterfinal game, St. Olaf controlled possession for a majority of the first half as it led the shot count 8-3 after the first 45 minutes. Miller’s unassisted goal 34 seconds into the second half gave the Gusties a jolt of momentum that they carried throughout the rest of the match. Seven minutes after Miller’s team-leading fifth goal of the season, Emily Skogseth (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.) took a pass from Sophie Leininger (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) and beat her defender down the middle of the field and fired a shot into the back of the net for an insurance goal, her third of the season.

“We came out with a mission in the second half, scoring two early goals,” Burnett-Kurie said. “From there we were smart, controlled the tempo at times and finished out the 90 minutes.”

The Gustie defense didn’t allow the Oles to gain much traction in the final 45 minutes, limiting them to one shot on goal. Becker finished the game with two saves for her 10th shutout of the season.