SAINT PETER, Minn. – After a week off, the Gustavus women's soccer team returned to the pitch for a MIAC match-up against Augsburg (5-2-4, 1-0-4 MIAC), and walked away with a point in the conference standings thanks to the efforts of the Gustie defense,
Brianna Monahan (Sr., Medina), and a well-timed Auggie own-goal. Augsburg scored first, but a second half surge capped by Monahan's play leading to the own-goal helped the team battle to a 1-1 tie at the Gustie Soccer Field Saturday afternoon.
The Gusties' and Defensive Player of the Week
Katelyn Olson's (So., Cloquet) shutout streak came to an end at 221 minutes – just over two games – as the Auggies' Allison Hookom scored the game's first goal at minute 25 of the first half.
Jayla Ponce, the MIAC's leading scorer, created the play, collecting a loose ball at midfield and breaking down into the Gustie half. Ponce, under heavy pressure, sent a long pass to Hookom, who was covered with a Gustie defender over her left shoulder. Hookom just barely won the foot race and sent the ball into the lower left corner as Olson stepped out to challenge, giving the Auggies a 1-0 lead. That lead held to the end of the half, with the Auggies dominating much of the play, totaling eight shots and three on the goal of Olson, compared to zero on target in the first 45 for the Gusties.
The second half brought an inspired Gustie team to the field, as Head Coach
Laura Burnett-Kurie's halftime talk did the trick, with the home team emerging with all the momentum after the break. With the ball under Gustie possession,
Ellen Becken (Sr., Prior Lake) initiated the scoring play following a blocked shot at the top of the box. Monahan recovered the ball, and cut back to beat an Auggie, sending a pass to the foot of
Haillee Wilson (Jr., Ashland, Wis.). Wilson, surrounded by Augsburg defenders, lost the ball, but a quick turnover put it right back on the foot of an uncontested Monahan.
The senior defender sent a long, high-arc shot that carried in the Saint Peter wind, into the box, and off an Auggie defender, finally rolling into the middle of the goal to beat keeper Tess Enlow. Fueled by the score, the Gusties managed a number of chances in the minutes following, as
Gabriela Rodriguez (Sr., Wasseca) and
Callie Patraw (Sr., Elk River) put two strong shots toward the goal of Enlow that were just saved to keep the score even, 1-1.
Ponce threw a few more chances the other way at Olson, who was up to the challenge, posting two saves within seconds of each other in minute 78. A pair of dangerous corner kicks nearly put the game in favor of the Gusties, but both defenses held strong, ending in a 1-1 draw – the Auggies' fourth of the conference season.
Augsburg outshot the Gusties 12-10, including a 6-2 mark in shots on goal. Patraw and
Kaitlyn Brandt (Jr., Blaine) accounted for both chances, with a total of nine Gusties attempting a shot on goal in the game. The Gusties dominated the corners, getting six corner kicks to zero for the Auggies. Olson finished with five saves in the game, marking the seventh time the sophomore keeper has made five or more in a game this season.
"We started out the game with a lot of energy and discipline," said Burnett-Kurie. "We felt as though we created quite a few dangerous looks but couldn't quite find the back of the net. Heading into halftime, we felt as though the scoreline didn't represent the game. We showed our grit and, despite going against the wind, it was great to see the fight from our team and figure out how to put the ball In the back of the net. We know we still have another level to get to and need to continue to focus on putting together a full 90. We're happy with today's fight, ready to get back at it on Wednesday vs. Northwestern."
Gustavus (5-3-3, 1-3-1 MIAC) returns to the pitch for its final non-conference game of the season Wednesday, heading to Northwestern-St. Paul (3-6-1, 3-2-0 UMAC) for a 7 p.m. match-up on the road. The team will then take the trip north to Saint Benedict (3-4-3, 0-3-2 MIAC) on Saturday to return to conference action.
