ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus women's soccer team concluded its non-conference schedule Wednesday night, taking the trip to Northwestern-St. Paul and dealing the Eagles a 2-0 loss on their home field. The Gusties improve to 6-3-3 overall, while UNW drops to 4-7-1 overall.
Cambelle Waldspurger (Jr., Mahtomedi) got the Gusties off to a hot start, scoring the first goal just six minutes into the game. Following a Northwestern throw-in, the Gusties recovered the ball thanks to the efforts of
Haillee Wilson (Jr., Ashland, Wis.). A long pass from Wilson to the foot of
Ellen Becken (Sr., Prior Lake) helped the play move along. Becken sent a pass into the center of the field, to a racing Waldspurger, who found herself in a battle with the UNW defender. Waldspurger won the race and sent a perfect ball off her left foot into the right corner of the goal for the first score of the game.
Both teams battled for the first half, each totaling nine shots toward the opposing goal. Goalkeeper
Katelyn Olson (So., Cloquet) was up to the task, saving all three shots that found their way into the box in the first 45 to help the Gusties lead 1-0 at the break.
Waldspurger had the opportunity to push the lead to two, as an Eagle yellow card resulted in a penalty kick for the junior. Waldspurger's attempt went just wide, but Wilson made up for it, doubling the Gustie lead at minute 76 for her fourth of the season off an assist from
Grace Dlouhy (So., Saint Peter).
The team totaled 24 shots against the Eagles, the third time the Gusties have totaled more than 20 shots in a game this season. A total of 12 of the shots were on target, while UNW sent seven to Olson in goal, and 13 attempts overall. Olson picked up her sixth win and sixth shutout, continuing the team's streak, as all six of their wins have been clean sheets. Waldspurger had seven shots and four on goal to lead the team, while Becken and Dlouhy each added two.
The Gusties head back to conference play for the rest of their season, facing Saint Benedict (3-4-4, 0-3-2 MIAC) Saturday at 1 p.m. in St. Joseph.
