SAINT PETER, Minn. — Do you get déjà vu?
Jared Hecht and the Gustie men's soccer team certainly do. For the second time this season,
Jared Hecht led the Gusties to a 2-0 shutout win over Saint John's, with Hecht once again scoring both goals. The senior scored on the bookends of the match, tallying goal one four minutes into play and No. 2 with just four minutes remaining.
"Today was a great win against a really tough opponent. Playoff soccer is always a battle. But especially on a windy, cold day where it was tough to play, and against a team that always competes with everything they've got — that was a satisfying result," said Head Coach
Tudor Flintham.
Hecht got the home fans on their feet to take an early 1-0 lead, beating Johnnie keeper Evan Siefken on a feed from
Owen Johnson and
Jack Isroff.
Wesley Sanders made the save of the game shortly after, robbing Saint John's of the game tying goal. Sanders leaped into the air to punch the shot from Riley Buxell over the net and maintain the Gustie lead. Both teams managed even offensive pressure through the first 45, finishing with three shots on goal apiece at the half.
Unsatisfied with the one goal lead, the Gusties emerged from the break with all the offensive momentum. Gustavus combined for a series of scoring opportunities in the second, including four chances off the foot of
Joe Flory. Hecht's second half goal only sealed the deal for the playoff victory, as Gustavus outshot Saint John's 15-1 in the second.
Sanders made four saves in goal to post the clean sheet, effectively tying the program record for career shutouts set by Mark Genosky (1989-92). The shutout is his sixth this season.
Joe Flory and
Nick Katzman shared the lead in shots on goal, each totaling three of the Gusties' total 11. Hecht, in only nine games played, has 10 goals on the season after Monday's performance, and now owns four multi-goal games this year.
"The guys probably would have liked to possess more but we are proud of the fact that they adapted to the conditions and the demands of that particular game. Obviously, Jared continuing to score is a great thing. In-form strikers certainly make your job easier. But also seeing Otis and Owen continue to add assists every game is huge at this time of year. Owen was great again & put in a quality shift on both sides of the ball. Then Wes becoming the program's No. 1 in shutouts is a fitting way for him to head into a playoff run. He's been fantastic for us over the years and not doubt he and defensive unit will have more to say this post season."
As the winners of the first quarterfinal, Gustavus will travel to Northfield Thursday to face Carleton in the MIAC Playoff Semifinals at 11:30 a.m. Carleton received a bye through the first round of playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the league. Macalester, the winner of Monday's other quarterfinal, will face regular season champions St. Olaf Thursday at 2 p.m.
