SAINT PETER, Minn. - For the second consecutive game, the Gustavus women's soccer team used late game heroics to win a conference match, defeating Saint Mary's 2-1 on Wednesday. The Gusties improve to 5-4 overall and 2-2 in the MIAC, while the Cardinals drop to 4-5 overall and 0-4 in the league.
Gustavus controlled the pace of play for a majority of the first half, outshooting the Cardinals 8-6, but with just 10 seconds remaining in the half Saint Mary's was able to break the scoreless draw with the first goal of the game. The Cardinals took all the momentum into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Saint Mary's continued to apply pressure early in the second half, but with a sense of urgency picking up,
Cambelle Waldspurger (Mahtomedi, Minn.) weaved through the Cardinal defense and connected for her first goal of the season to tie the game at the 78:25 mark. Less than three minutes later,
Hannah Cisar (Sioux Falls, S.D.) put home her third goal of the season, assisted by
Jordan Oelkers (Byron, Minn.), which proved to be the game-winner.
"That was a thrilling game," Head Coach
Laura Burnett-Kurie said. "What an incredible effort from this group. We started off the game very well, creating dangerous opportunities and thwarting any offensive efforts from Saint Mary's throughout the first 30. The momentum then shifted and we had to play gritty soccer for the next 15, unfortunately giving up a goal with 10 seconds left in the first half. All the credit to this team, every single player, for believing. Believing in this team and believing in themselves. To score two goals in the final 15 minutes and then finish the game out to the final whistle, is empowering. Hats off to the grit and belief this team has."
Gustavus outshot Saint Mary's 14-11. The Cardinals had five more corner kicks than the Gusties but were unable to convert on their seven chances.
Katelyn Olson (Cloquet, Minn.) made six saves in the win.
The Gusties continue conference play Saturday night at Augsburg with an 8 p.m. kickoff.
