WINONA, Minn. - Facing the potential of a tie game, No. 3 Gustavus men's soccer buckled down in the final five minutes Wednesday night to defeat Saint Mary's 2-1. The Gusties extend their winning streak to eight games, while improving to 9-0-1 overall and 4-0-0 in the MIAC.
The first goal of the game was scored in the 33rd minute as a Cardinal defender tried to play the ball back to the keeper, but the pass was off the mark and went all the way to the net.
Owen Johnson was applying pressure and tapped it in for his second goal of the season.
Gustavus was in full control throughout the first half, outshooting the Cardinals 17-2 overall and 8-1 on goal. Johnson led the offensive pressure with seven shots and four on goal in the first half alone.
With 11 minutes remaining in the game, it appeared as if
Simon Woods was going to give the Gusties a 2-0 lead, but the Cardinal keeper made a leaping save. Saint Mary's immediately went up the field, found a seam, and got a shot past
Egan Bedwell, who was trying the slide up on the ball near the 18.
The score remained 1-1 through the 85th minute with a sense of urgency for the Gusties picking up and they were able to connect with some nifty passing.
Alex Krumenauer dribbled around a defender in the right corner, passed it back to
Brian Brown who sent a cross to the back side where
Darren Chukel headed it in for his first goal of the season. The goal proved to be the game-winner as the Gusties held on in the final minutes for the win.
"Sometimes it's just about getting the point," said Head Coach
Tudor Flintham. "It's a rough place to play. Bouncy turf that's challenging to play on. We had a solid first half and created some great chances but kinda just didn't do the basic stuff in the second half that would have opened the game up. Then when you concede such a sloppy unnecessary goal from a miscommunication you start to think it's not going to be your day. But we found a way and the team has massive belief even when things are not 100 percent clicking for us. Brian and Darren step up huge in that moment. The lads owe them a big thank you and then we need to get back to basics and focus on what got us here."
Gustavus outshot SMU 26-7 overall and 11-3 on goal as Bedwell made two saves for the Gusties. The Gusties also had 16 corners compared to two by the Cardinals.
The Gusties return home Saturday for another MIAC matchup against Augsburg.
"We have a big challenge ahead of us on Saturday. Augsburg is the real deal, a really classy team with great players," Flintham said. "Time to reset for us and turn the page."
