SAINT PETER, Minn. — The Gustavus men's soccer team played its final non-conference game of the season against Bethany Lutheran, and put on an impressive offensive performance, defeating the Vikings 5-2 at the Gustie Soccer Field. Gustavus improves to 6-3-5 heading into its final stretch of conference games.
The Gusties opened the game firing on all cylinders, totaling six shots in the first five minutes. And the early offensive pressure certainly paid off, as
Nick Katzman and
Raphael Cattelin took advantage of a costly Bethany turnover to net the game's first goal. Cattelin, who has seven points in his last two games, found the loose ball and sent it to Katzman in the box, who made an easy tap-in to get his first goal of the season.
Katzman did it again just 14 minutes later, connecting on another one of Cattelin's offensive drives. Off a deep Gustie throw-in, Cattelin sent a pass to the foot of
Owen Johnson in the box, who rifled a shot at Bethany keeper Mason Steffen. Steffen made the initial save, but left the rebound ripe for the picking. Katzman was there to collect, sending Johnson's ball over the head of Steffen for his second of the game.
Alex Krumenauer got in on the scoring fun four minutes later, deflecting in the team's third of the game off a pass from
Spencer Skjeldstad. Bethany got one back on the next play, scoring on their first shot of the game to bring the score to 3-1 at the half.
Midway through the second frame,
Jack Isroff took a feed from Johnson to score his first collegiate goal, beating Steffen for the Gusties' fourth of the game.
Jack Knight added one more to pad the Gustie lead with three minutes remaining. Bethany Lutheran tallied a last second goal to bring the score to a final of 5-2.
"Momentum is super important and it feels like we are trending in a really positive direction and hopefully peaking at the right time," said Head Coach
Tudor Flintham. "Owen & Raph contributing 5 assists was really reassuring and it possibly could have been more. Katz was great again and looks confident in his game; Jack Izzy got his first collegiate goal which we think is the first of many.
Alex Krumenauer was fantastic again, scoring goals and always dangerous when he's on the ball, but also a transition problem for opponents. But the most pleasing thing is that we saw a togetherness and a group of people pushing each other to be better and building each other up. It wasn't our perfect game. But when you see positive reactions to mistakes and guys invested in each other being better and doing better, that's a special thing as a coach. This group could still go really far this season, provided they keep helping & supporting each other like that. In good moments & bad, this team has learned that together we are stronger."
The Gusties finished with a well-balanced attack, totaling 12 shots on goal from nine different players. Katzman, Krumenauer, and Isroff each shared the lead with two. Johnson ended the game with three assists, tying his career high set in 2021, while Katzman led the game with four points on his two goals.
The Gusties, who sit tied for fifth in the MIAC standings, host Bethel Saturday for their first of three conference matches in the next week.
