EAGAN, Minn. – The 2025 Gustavus club women's flag football participated in the first annual inaugural championship tournament hosted by the Minnesota Vikings at Vikings Lakes Saturday, April 5. The Gusties lost both of their games, against Bethel and Northwestern-St. Paul. 

Sophomore Kennedy Johnson started at quarterback in the first game, and got some movement in the early in the game getting the ball to first year receiver Lucy Turner on a medium pass where Turner went up and caught the ball, handing the ball off to running back first year Helena Nieman for a solid gain, and finding first year receiver Addie Brant a handful of times for some explosive short burst plays. The first few possessions ended in interceptions or drives fizzling out. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Gustavus held their own early, preventing scores in many of the first drives and forcing loss of yards on a couple of occasions through hard nosed defense and forcing penalties. They were able to force some key drops and rally around the ball carrier to grab a flag to prevent plays from turning into explosives. 

After the first few drives, first-year quarterback McKenna Tuthill came into the game  sparking some energy. This brought some big time flash plays most notably a huge run from senior Ellie Rauk. The half ended with Lucy Turner catching the ball on a double team and just missed the first down with a score 0-14. 

Bethel opened the half with a quick touchdown which killed any momentum the Gusties were able to gain, but they were able to gain it back after stopping the extra point. Gustavus's offensive struggles continued after, with a three and out. On Bethel's next possession, there was a deep pass attempt that flew down the field and looked like it was going to turn into a touchdown before being heroically swatted down by a diving Gustavus defensive back. Ellie Rauk playing defense was on fire in the second half both in flag grabbing and causing chaos for the offense.