SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women's soccer team kicks off its 2024 campaign on Friday afternoon, heading to UW-Oshkosh to start the season. The Gusties finished tied for sixth in the MIAC last season, missing playoffs on a tiebreaker, with a record of 9-7-1 overall and 5-5-1 in the conference. 

Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie, in her 13th season leading the program, is looking forward to seeing how her team's energy in preseason carries into the first weekend on the road.

"We've had a great start to the season so far," Burnett-Kurie said. "This team is super special. Our newcomers have brought a lot of energy with them and have done a fantastic job joining our team and buying into our culture. We've had three scrimmages so far, and I think we're the most prepared we ever have been for them, which is certainly a result of our fitness level and focus the team has brought in with them this year."

Burnett-Kurie's roster will miss the likes of graduated players Sara Kugler, Annika Lewis, and Alexis Lin, but returns a major core of last year's team. The 2024 squad consists of eight first-years, seven sophomores, six juniors, and 10 seniors. With so many seniors on the roster, Burnett-Kurie is eager to see the impact their experience will have on the year.

"Our senior class – we've said it since they were first-years – is a really fantastic group. They lead by example, bring positive energy, and truly embody the 'We over Me' mentality. It's empowering to have them lead this team, and their experience and perspective will help our team ride the highs and lows of the season together.

"It's always hard to replace those individuals who have graduated, both in terms of leadership and culture, as well as performance on the field. The fact that this team believes in the process and the journey ahead of them helps manage that. The next person is ready to step up, and having players that are able to fill those roles this year is something that we are really excited about. They've put in the work to earn it."

Returning to lead the Gustie offense is Cambelle Waldspurger (Jr., Mahtomedi). Waldspurger has led the Gusties in scoring her first two collegiate seasons, totaling 16 points in each. A MIAC All-Conference selection last season and Honorable Mention All-MIAC honoree as a first-year, Waldspurger will look to lead the team's offensive production alongside fellow junior Hannah Cisar (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and senior Lillian Selberg (Minneapolis), who each totaled eight points last season.

Senior Lucie Henrich will certainly lead the Gusties' back line, as the Shoreview native played and started in all 17 of the Gusties' games last year. Henrich, along with seniors Callie Patraw (Elk River) and Makenna Huetten (Eagan) will lead the Gustavus defense and midfield in front of sophomore keeper Katelyn Olson (Cloquet). Olson had a breakout freshman campaign, certainly making her case for MIAC Rookie of the Year. Playing in 14 games, Olson made 72 saves and compiled a record of 7-4-1 with four shutouts. She had a number of impressive performances, including two 12-save games against St. Catherine and Concordia late in the season.

The 2024 schedule features seven non-conference opponents, highlighted by Simpson College on Sept. 14. The Gusties will host a Storm team that has a history of success, including national tournament experience last season and votes in the United Soccer Coaches' preseason national poll. Four teams on the Gusties' schedule advanced to the national tournament last season, including conference opponents Carleton and St. Catherine, who both make the trip to Saint Peter this year. 

"We have a great schedule with competitive opponents this year, both non-conference and in the MIAC. Our opening weekend is always super fun, and we spend five days on the road, which will be a really exciting start to the season. This weekend, as well as some of our tougher regional matchups will be a good test for us and we're looking forward to how that can prepare us for the year ahead.

"Our depth and culture are our two highlights of this season. Our team camaraderie and chemistry is going to make our team a lot of fun to watch this season, and we can't wait to see that show on the field." 

The Gusties face UW-Oshkosh at 3 p.m. on Friday before traveling to Ripon for a 1 p.m. game on Sunday. The team will host Bethany Lutheran Wednesday, Sept. 4 at the Gustie Soccer Field for its home opener before beginning conference play on Sept. 18 with Carleton.

RECORD WATCH

Here's a preview of a couple records to follow during the 2024 Gustavus women's soccer campaign: 

BEST OF THREE

Cambelle Waldspurger, who has led the Gustie offense in the last two seasons, has the potential to write her name in the record books if she's able to do the same once more. If Waldspurger maintains her point production and leads the team's scoring efforts this year, she could become just the third Gustie in the storied history of the program to lead the team in scoring for three consecutive seasons. 

PUT IT ON REPEAT

Last season, the Gusties defeated Saint Benedict for the first time in six years. A win this year could mark the first back-to-back victories over the Bennies since 2016. 

HOME SWEET HOME

The Gusties' 10 home games this season are the most since 2015, the same year the team won the MIAC Playoff Championship. The 2015 team went 13-7-1 and 7-3-0 in conference play, collecting eight of their 13 wins in Saint Peter.