SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season against Carleton Wednesday, dropping a 1-0 decision in the team's MIAC opener at the Gustie Soccer Field. MIAC Defensive Player of the Week
Katelyn Olson (So., Cloquet) did all she could for the Gusties, making 10 saves for the second consecutive game, but a late second half goal led the Knights to the conference victory.
The two teams played deadlocked through the first half, with Carleton (6-0-1, 1-0-0 MIAC) controlling the majority of the play through the first 45. The Knights managed six shots on goal on Olson, including a dangerous corner kick that Olson was able to punch above the crossbar. Despite the heavy pressure, the Gustie back line was able to keep the game scoreless heading into the break.
After the half, the offense for both teams came alive, as Gustavus (3-1-2, 0-1-0 MIAC) was able to manage a number of scoring chances on Knight goalkeeper Avery Trapp. Trapp made a number of key saves against the Gusties'
Haillee Wilson (Jr., Ashland, Wis.),
Kirstin Poppen (Sr., Verona, Wis.), and
Cambelle Waldspurger (Jr., Mahtomedi) up front in the opening minutes of the second half. Carleton dished it back at Olson, forcing the sophomore to make several acrobatic saves, including one that just grazed her fingertips to bounce over the goal. Olson got help from her defenders as well, holding Carleton scoreless until minute 75.
A corner kick for the Knights resulted in a swarm of players in front of the goal of Olson. After multiple blocked attempts, Carleton's Loren Arzayus broke the scoring silence, sending the ball into low center and past Olson for the game's only goal. The Gusties tried to muster the same magic they had used on Saturday for a late game-tying goal, but struggled to break through the Carleton defense, resulting in the team's first loss of the season.
The Gusties totaled six shots on goal throughout the game, compared to 11 for the Knights. Waldspurger led the squad with two, while
Makenna Huetten (Sr., Eagan),
Hannah Cisar (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.), Poppen, and Wilson chipped in the other four. Olson's 10 saves matched her season-high from Saturday, and marks the fourth time in her career she has surpassed double digit saves.
The Gusties are back in action for more MIAC play this Saturday, taking a trip to Macalester (2-2-2, 0-0-1 MIAC) to face the Scots for a 1 p.m. start in St. Paul.
