Women’s Soccer Shuts Out Concordia On Senior Day
Posted on October 25th, 2016 by Trent Jackson
Sophie Leininger (center) celebrates with teammates. Leininger led the Gusties with two goals and an assist.
ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team was lifted by two goals from co-captain Sophie Leininger (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) as the Gusties shut out Concordia College on senior day, Tuesday afternoon at Gustie Soccer Field.
With the win Gustavus improves to 10-5-2 overall (6-4 MIAC), while the Cobbers fall to 4-10-3 (1-8-1 MIAC).
“We wanted to play for the seniors and all the hard work they’ve put in over the last four years,” said Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie. “What they’ve done for the program and how they’ve helped set our standard of excellence is admirable, so it was great to be able to get the result in honor of them. Ultimately, the team is on a mission to finish the season strong and clinch that playoff spot and they are proving that every game.”
In the first period the Gustie attack peppered the Concordia defense with 19 shots, three of which snuck past goalkeeper Maddy Reed.
Around 12 minutes into the game, Maddison Ackiss (Sr., Fairbanks, Alaska) took a shot and Leininger buried the rebound to tally her first goal of the season. Leininger added another goal at the 24th minute mark when Emily Skogseth (So., Burnsville, Minn.) centered the ball to Leininger, who put a shot into the top left corner of the goal.
“Sophie is a such a crafty player and despite not having the points to show for it this year, much of our attack still goes through her,” Burnett-Kurie commented. “It was great to see her breakthrough and not only score, but to score a second in the first half.”
At the 32nd minute, Ackiss recorded her team-leading ninth goal of the season to give Gustavus a 3-0 cushion with a great shot from 30 yards out, registering a goal in three-straight games. Leininger was credited with the assist on the goal to notch her fifth point of the game, which is an individual game high for Leininger and the Gusties.
In the second period Concordia stole away some of the Gustavus momentum, outshooting the Gusties 11-3. Despite a strong push-back, the Black and Gold defense stood tall. Goalkeeper Roisen Granlund (Sr., St. Paul, Minn.) came in to assist starting goalie Ashley Becker (So., Farmington, Minn.) at the 75th minute mark and backstopped the Gusties with six saves. Becker was credited with her 10th win of the season.
“We are so happy to see Roisen get some minutes and show what she’s capable of. Everyday she works hard in practice and continues to push herself and everyone within the program to reach that next level. Today she had the opportunity to step onto the field and help hold down the fort to secure that goose egg,” Burnett-Kurie mentioned.
Gustavus closes out the regular season at Hamline University on Saturday at 11 a.m.
“We are very focused on finishing out the season strong, but today’s post-game was all about honoring our spectacular senior class and their families. They’ve given so much to this program it’s difficult to truly honor them,” said Burnett-Kurie.
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