All Smiles for a Great Win!

This past Tuesday we were very ecstatic about playing back home on the Gustie soccer field. The energy was high and everyone was super pumped for our game versus Bethel. Throughout the first half, we had tons of really great scoring opportunities which didn't stop proceeding into the second half. Once again, the amazing Katie Ashpole shocked Bethel's goal keeper with a perfectly placed shot upper 90. It was one of the coolest things I (Page Cocchiarella) have ever seen. After Katie's goal, the team worked really hard to keep our shutout going along with the help of Ashley Becker who had a crazy awesome save in the final few minutes of the match. It was great to feel the joy of winning and see smiles on everyones face when the final whistle blew!

 SAINT PETER, Minn. – Katie Ashpole’s (Jr., Chaska) team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 60th minute Tuesday lifted the Gustavus women’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over Bethel. The victory snaps a five-game losing streak as the Gusties improve to 3-10 overall and 2-5 in the MIAC. The Royals are now 10-3 overall and 4-3 in the league.

“The team really deserves this win,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “They’ve put in a lot of great performances without getting the result. It’s hard to continue to push, stay optimistic, and continue to believe, but today was nice to see the hard work and get the result.”

Neither team could find the back of the net in the opening half with the Royals winning the shot count 10-4. Nearly 15 minutes into the second half, the Gusties took advantage of a corner kick as the ball popped free after the kick, which was controlled by the home team. Lauren Johnson (Jr., Woodbury) then toe-poked the ball to Ashpole who cut her defender, took a touch, and shot it upper 90 on the far post for the goal.

The Royals made it interesting in the final three minutes with multiple shots on goal, but Ashley Becker (Sr., Farmington) was up to the challenge by stopping each shot fired at her, including a leaping save on a shot that would have cleared just below the crossbar.

“She’s a clutch player, great leader, and obviously a great player,” Burnett-Kurie said of Becker. “When we needed her the most she came through. But credit goes to the team in those situations as well. We had multiple people step up in a big time.”

Gustavus next hosts Carleton at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Being Scrappy at St. Bens

For anybody who was at our snowy game this past weekend in St. Joseph, you know that the Gustie Women's soccer team was looking pretty awesome. Between our stellar Gustie tempo and grit in the box, we were working together phenomenally. One of our main goals is to improve with each game throughout the season. It's not fun to play well and not get the result we want but it is great to know that this team is getting stronger and stronger! Shoutout to all the parents and fans who came up to support us in the slushy snow!

                

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Playing in a wintery mix of snow and rain Saturday afternoon, the Gustavus women’s soccer team lost a 2-0 decision at Saint Benedict, falling to 2-10 overall and 1-5 in the MIAC. Saint Ben’s is now 7-2-2 overall and remains unbeaten in the league at 4-0-1.

Neither team was able to net a goal in the first half with the shots even at five apiece. In the 66th minute, the Bennies took advantage of a corner kick by knocking around a couple chances in a congested goal area. Ashley Becker (Sr., Farmington), who finished the game with 10 saves, stopped the initial shot off the corner kick but the Bennies scored on the rebound.

With just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, the home team was able to add an insurance goal to seal the victory. Saint Ben’s outshot the Gusties 13-6 in the final 45 minutes.

Gustavus next hosts Bethel at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Taking Action in Wisconsin!

Another gorgeous game day! This past Wednesday we traveled to UW-Lacrosse with our game day faces locked and loaded. Playing under the lights was a blast! Our team worked really hard and saw some awesome moments including an appearance from the one and only Abby Goodno!! It was a battle the entire 90 minutes, as we continued to creatively break down the Lacrosse defense. Even though we didn’t get the result we wanted, 

we are looking forward to getting back into MIAC play

with our built up momentum and high spirits!!

 

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss at UW-La Crosse on Wednesday evening. The defeat drops the Gusties to 2-9 overall, while the Eagles improve to 8-4-1.

UW-La Crosse scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 38th minute with an unassisted goal. The Eagles outshot the Gusties 13-2 in the opening 45 minutes. The home team then added its second goal with just eight seconds remaining in the game.

La Crosse finished the contest with 19 shots compared to three from the Gusties. Ashley Becker (Sr., Farmington) played nearly 73 minutes in goal, allowing one score with six saves. Abby Goodno (So., Little Canada) played the final 17 minutes with one goal allowed as well.

”First half was a back and forth battle,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “Each team had their share of looks. They scored directly off a corner, which caught us a little off guard. Second half we came at it with intensity and were the aggressors. It was great to see us play with such confidence and commit numbers in the attack. Page Cocchiarella and Lauren Johnson both had outstanding second halfs and it was great to see our depth coming off the bench.”

Gustavus returns to conference play 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Saint Benedict.

Another Beautiful Game Day!

Last weekend we made our way to Northfield where we played St. Olaf for our rescheduled game. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon when we showed up ready to battle. The first half was scoreless but promising for us with our creative movement and ability to get around the St. Olaf defenders. Early in the second half the incredible Katie Ashpole rocketed a shot past the goal keeper's reach which put us in the lead! We were disappointed that we couldn't hold out for the win, but used our frustrations to take us to the next level in getting ready for UW-Lacrosse!

              

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team traveled to Northfield Sunday afternoon to take on St. Olaf and fell 2-1. With the loss the Gusties fall to 2-8 overall and 1-4 in the MIAC while the Oles are 7-3-1 overall and 4-1 in the conference.

In the first 45 minutes of play, neither team would break through for a goal. The Oles outshot the Gusties in the first half by a tally of 11-8.

Half number two got off to a much quicker start, with the Gusties scoring just over five minutes into the half when Katie Ashpole (Jr., Chaska) found the back of the net with an assist going to Taylor Hemme (Jr., Eden Prairie).

Gustavus held its lead for over 12 minutes before St. Olaf found the back of the net in the 62nd minute. The teams looked as though they were headed to overtime before the Oles got a through ball and found the right side of the net for the game-winner in the 88th minute.

Ashley Becker (Sr., Farmington) made eight saves while allowing two goals in the loss.
“We have high expectations for ourselves and are still trying to decide who we want to be as a team this year,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “We have some outstanding moments where we are able to show our true potential, other times we struggle. It’s about finding consistency moving forward.

“We scored a great goal today, had other dangerous opportunities and defensively we have some strong moments. A few times we moved the ball better than we have all year. We are going to take those moments and move forward. When we play for each other and with the Gustie tempo, it’s fun to play and watch.”

The Gusties are next in action Wednesday when they travel to UW-La Crosse for a 6 p.m. contest.

MidSeason Review

Lauren Johnson (JR), Ashely Becker (SR),
Abby Goodno (SO), and Taylor Hemme (JR)
pose outside of Old Main during the team's
media day.

We are exactly halfway through the regular season! It seems like just yesterday was report day for preseason, with nervous anticipation for what the 2019 season would bring. We welcomed 8 first year student athletes and a new assistant coach to the Gustavus soccer program! With the lofty goals of this team and the program we landed on - Courage or Comfort - for this year's theme. Everyday we can decide to be courageous and go all in, or decide to be comfortable and hold back. We control that decision, and we can do great things by being courageous. We know there are times where deciding to be courageous will be uncomfortable, but we know that we have each other to depend on and help us through it.

With an extremely competitive opening to the 2019 season we've faced some of the top teams in the region and have learned a lot about who we are and who we aim to be. We are driven as individuals, and as a team, we know what it looks like to go all in, we know how to face adversity, and we know how to show our personalities. Our personalities really come out, when we play Blind Dodgeball as a break during preseason! A fierce competition we work in pairs to win. To fully understand blind dodge ball, check out the video below:                   

We're very focused during our minute to win it competition!

As the heart of our conference schedule begins, we are ready for the competitiveness of the MIAC. As one of the top leagues in the country, every single game matters, and has to be treated like the conference championship.  Off the field, we spend a lot of time together building on our team chemistry. This season, we went to one of our seniors off campus house for a pasta feed and some competitive minute to win it games. We spent another building our alter egos, and learning what motivates one another. We also love to get to know the parents and families of our team. After away games, we'll typically go to a player's house and have a fun tailgate with the team and parents. And after home games we always host a tailgate. Our soccer program is a family and it's so important to get to know everyone who's invested in our program!

 The Gustavus Women's Soccer program has a lot of heart, and a lot to give during the second half of this season. We are creating a legacy of excellence, and with that everyone is faced with a couple questions everyday: Who do you want to be, and are you willing to be courageous enough to be that person? If the answer is "YES!" then greatness is possible. If you answered yes while reading this, and you want to be a part of this incredible legacy then come visit Gustavus with our program. We are recruiting student athletes that are excited to compete everyday, to improve themselves and their teammates, and who are willing to be courageous. Gustavus is a place to find your passions, and work with your community to become your best self. We want you to be a part of it!


For any questions about visiting campus connect with:
Head Women's Soccer Coach: Laura Burnett-Kurie
Assistant Women's Soccer Coach: Zoe Eth