SAINT PETER, Minn. – Prior to Saturday's game at Bethel, all seven of the Gustavus women's soccer team's wins came in shutout fashion. Bethel scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in minute 17, but the Gusties (8-4-5, 3-4-3 MIAC) broke their streak when it mattered most, getting three goals from a trio of seniors to defeat the Royals (6-6-4, 2-5-3 MIAC) on the road, 3-1.
Bethel got on the board first, taking advantage of four minutes of consistent pressure on the Gusties and
Katelyn Olson (So., Cloquet). Bethel earned a corner kick, followed by a throw-in that landed on the foot of Malia Beilby, who worked her way around the Gustavus defense, sending a low attempt toward Olson that was tapped in from behind her by a rushing Jessica Oliver.
Bethel played with the lead for 24 minutes, until the Gusties shifted the momentum off an Olson goal kick. After a Gustavus throw-in,
Jordan Oelkers (Sr., Byron) found the ball on the baseline, sending a pass to
Lillian Selberg (Sr., Minneapolis) in the box. Selberg evaded a defender over her shoulder and sent the ball into the lower right corner to even the score 1-1 heading into the break.
The go-ahead goal started off a play from
Callie Patraw (Sr., Elk River), who won a battle with a Bethel defender to send a perfectly placed pass to Oelkers. Oelkers connected with
Ellen Becken (Sr., Prior Lake) who tapped one into the lower right corner for the
eventual game-winner in minute 69. Oelkers continued to deliver key offensive plays, scoring her second of the season just three minutes later.
Haillee Wilson (Jr., Ashland, Wis.) won a battle in the midfield, sending a pass to Selberg, who dished it to Becken. The senior's connection ended up on the foot of Oelkers, who pushed her way past multiple Royals to lob a shot into the top-right corner. A few attempts from the Royals in the waning minutes fell short, helping the Gusties to three valuable points in the conference standings.
"Bethel is a tough place to place and their team has been getting some great results lately," said Head Coach
Laura Burnett-Kurie. "Our team showed up and continued to get better and better as the game progressed. To come from behind again to tie it up is great. The second half we really found a flow and great pockets of space. It was a joy to watch us move the ball and create great opportunities."
Bethel out-shot the Gusties 17-14 overall, but the visitors totaled eight on goal compared to seven for the Royals.
Cambelle Waldspurger (Jr., Mahtomedi) led the squad with five shots and three on goal, while five others accounted for the rest of the Black & Gold attempts on goal. Becken, who was in Las Vegas presenting at an academic conference just 24 hours earlier, finished the game with a goal and an assist, while Oelkers also tallied a multi-point performance – the first of her career.
" To have the composure to finish those opportunities is fantastic. We are excited to continue the season strong in our final game of the regular season."
The Gusties will use a week off to prepare for their final regular season game of the season, taking the trip to Duluth next Saturday to face St. Scholastica (0-13-4, 0-8-1 MIAC).
