SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus College men's soccer team battled the Bethel University Royals at home Monday afternoon in the MIAC Playoff Quarterfinals. After a scoreless opening half, the Gusties scored thrice in the second half while shutting out the Royals to earn a 3-0 victory and advance to the MIAC Semifinals.
Joe Flory gave the Gusties a 1-0 lead in the 59
th minute on a penalty kick. The junior gave a slight hesitation on his approach and caught the Bethel goalie cheating to the right, so Flory fired left to score his team-leading 14
th goal of the season.
Gustavus defended their one-goal lead into the final two minutes of the game. In the 89
th minute, the Gusties earned some breathing room as Flory approached the Royals' keeper one-on-one from the far side and then centered the ball through two Bethel defenders to find
Kieran Mahan all alone in front of the open net for the easy tap in to double the Gustavus lead with just 1:26 remaining.
In the final minute, the Gusties scored once more.
Reid Wolf launched the ball down field from deep in the Gusties' side of the field.
David Castillon got his foot on the free ball at the top of the Royals' penalty box to kick it over the crashing Bethel keeper and into the open net off a bounce, putting Gustavus up 3-0 with just 21 seconds remaining.
The Gusties and Royals both had 12 shots each in the game, while Gustavus had a slight 8-7 advantage in shots on goal.
Jackson Baker made seven saves in goal for the Gusties to earn the shutout victory.
Up next for Gustavus is the MIAC Playoff Semifinals as the Gusties travel to St. Paul to battle the Macalester College Scots on Thursday, November 6 at 4:30 p.m. with a ticket to the championship game on the line.
