SAINT PETER, Minn. — The Gustavus men's soccer team scored two first half goals to deal Bethel a 2-1 conference setback at the Gustie Soccer Field Saturday afternoon. The Gusties, who have won four of their last six games, improve to 7-3-5 overall and 4-2-2 in conference play.
Ethan Glissendorf started off the scoring just 11 minutes into the game, taking a feed from
Alex Krumenauer to score the game's first goal.
Jared Hecht, who had five goals in five games prior to Saturday's game, added his sixth of the season on an assist from
Owen Johnson. Hecht's goal at 27:53 proved to be the eventual game winner. Bethel cut the lead in half, 2-1, 12 minutes into the second, as the Royals' Isaac Howell got one past Gustie keeper
Wesley Sanders.
"We played a great first half. Really dynamic and decisive on and off the ball," said Head Coach
Tudor Flintham. "We played both quickly and simply, and because of that we generated a ton of chances. We felt the 2-0 lead headed into the break was justified and probably could have been more. But like we all know, 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline and the next goal can either kill the game of add unnecessary tension. Bethel did great in the second half and obviously did exactly that.
"We wished we had come out in the second half with the same focus and determination. But ultimately its three conference points against a much improved and dangerous Bethel team.
We move on to the next one, and its a big one."
The Gusties managed consistent offensive pressure throughout the game, totaling 29 shots and 10 on goal, to the Royals' four shots and one on frame.
Joe Flory led the way for the Gusties with five shots and three on goal, while Hecht and
Jack Knight each notched two on the Bethel keeper.
The Gusties close out their regular season play next week, heading to Northfield to face St. Olaf on Tuesday before hosting St. Scholastica on Saturday.
