Women's Soccer 2015 Season Preview

Check out our 2015 season preview written by new Sports Information Director CJ Siewert! 

St. Peter, Minn -  The Gustavus Adolphus women's soccer team kicks off its 2015 campaign at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Gustie Soccer Field, playing host to UW-Eau Claire.  

Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie begins her fourth season at the helm and is excited about the potential of this season's team.  

"Last year we had a lot of injuries so that prevented us from having a lot of depth, so our girls got tired when it got to the 75th minute, which is when we gave up a lot of goals," Burnett-Kurie said.  

The captains this season include senior forward Brittany Chase (Victoria, Minn.), junior midfielder Coursey Edwards (Eden Prairie, Minn) and junior forward Jana Elliott (Eagan, Minn).  

Coach Burnett-Kurie says the team's style of play is possession oriented, which is coined the "Gustie Tempo." The Gustie Tempo involves one- or two-touch soccer, finding a rhythm and being creative in the offense.  Burnett-Kurie is relying on her captains to enforce the Gustie Tempo and lead by example.  

"Brittany is the first person I've coached all the way through for four years," Burnett-Kurie said.  "So she really understands the culture of the program and what we've been trying to build.  She's seen a lot of improvement, especially coming into this year.

"Jana and Coursey were part of the first recruited class.  They understood the culture that we are trying to build before they came in.  They are really going to help push our group to the next level because they know what it takes and have been working at it for the past three years.  They want to make sure they are seeing results and they can lead by example." 

Junior forward Maddison Ackiss (Fairbanks, Alaska) returns as the team's top point-scorer.  The West Valley High School product scored 10 of the team's 17 goals last season.  She started in all 18 matches and added two assists for 22 points.  Ackiss posted a .238 shot percentage and a .524 shot-on-gal mark.  

First-year goalkeeper Ashley Becker (Farmington, Minn.) steps between the posts in place of graduated keeper Caroline Olson.  

"Coupled with the veteran players we have, we are now bringing in a solid group of players that are going to help us get to the next level," Burnett-Kurie said.  "We are really excited about the potential of the team." 

#GoodLuck

We had the wonderful opportunity to play under a double rainbow for our first night of try-outs!  We're thinking it means good luck!

Make sure to add your email address to the subscribe list on the right hand side.  We will have plenty for you to stay up to date with this season including: our personal game recaps, players of the week, preseason recap, season preview, etc.  Get excited!

Did you hear about the $25 million?

Gustavus is known for their sciences.  With science majors ranging from geology to biology and chemistry to environmental studies, along with research opportunities abound, Gustavus will help you land sought-after internships or jobs after graduation.

And now, with the largest single gift in school history earmarked for the renovation and expansion of Nobel Hall of Science, there is no denying the fact Gustavus will springboard you into future opportunities within the sciences.

Gustavus Adolphus College Announces Largest Single Gift in School History

Posted on August 17th, 2015 by Tim Kennedy

The gift will serve as the cornerstone of the $65 million renovation of Nobel Hall of Science.

An extraordinary $25 million gift, the largest single contribution in the history of Gustavus Adolphus College, will serve as the cornerstone of the $65 million complete renovation and 50 percent expansion planned for Alfred Nobel Hall of Science. This important project will give the College the facilities necessary to prepare students for successful careers in the physical sciences and health careers in the 21st century. The family making this gift — long-time Gustavus supporters and Twin Cities entrepreneurs — wishes to remain anonymous.

“The Nobel Hall of Science has served the college well for 52 years,” said President Rebecca Bergman, “but the time has come to upgrade the College’s principal science building. This transformational gift will allow the College to continue to provide a world-class undergraduate science education rooted in the liberal arts tradition.”

“This generous donor is a family with five Gusties that recognizes the role that sciences play at Gustavus and the critically important role that physical space (classrooms, labs, and group learning spaces) plays in facilitating great teaching, learning, and research,” Bergman added.

The historic gift puts an exclamation point on Campaign Gustavus, the College’s current $150 million campaign, which will wrap up in late September of this year. The campaign, which is the most successful and significant campaign in the history of the College, is built on three pillars—Opportunity, Teaching and Learning, and Community.

“At its core, the campaign is about people and active involvement in the future of the College,” said Bergman. “It is about people who believe in creating opportunities for engaged teaching and learning in a nurturing community, people who are passionate about Gustavus and its students.”

Gustavus prides itself on a commitment to producing strong graduates in the sciences. It emphasizes attracting and supporting an outstanding faculty, small class sizes, engagement with preeminent scholars through the prestigious Nobel Conference and Rydell Scholar programs, and ample opportunities for student-faculty research. In fact, Gustavus was recently ranked third-highest in the nation among liberal arts colleges as the baccalaureate origin of physics PhDs.

“We are moved both by the generosity of this special family, and their humble and powerful commitment to Gustavus and its mission of preparing young people for lives of leadership and service,” said Vice President for Advancement Tom Young. “The family has shared with me their deep appreciation for the quality of education and meaningful personal relationships their children experienced at Gustavus, and they are honored to be able to give back in a way that will help so many others pursue that same life-changing opportunity.”