SAINT PETER, Minn. - The Gustavus men's soccer team sailed to a smooth 5-0 win over Saint Mary's on Tuesday, led by senior
Leo Runestad with two goals. The win was the third consecutive for the Gusties against the Cardinals and the second consecutive shutout against Saint Mary's.
The Gusties started strong in the first half with multiple chances early, including first-year
Jack Potter (London, England) hitting the crossbar on a header. Another strong chance was when sophomore
Kieran Mahan (Wayzata, Minn.) picked up the ball near the Gustavus sideline and dribbled through three defenders before being fouled just outside of the penalty area. Senior
Joe Flory (Whitchurch, England) added one more to his goal total in his career, taking a cross from fellow countryman, Potter. Just 14 minutes later, the Gusties scored in similar fashion, when senior
Sam Kaeding (Waconia, Minn.) played a header into classmate
Darren Chukel (Hudson, Wis.), who took the ball on the half volley and found the bottom left corner. Gustavus led in every team category as well, not allowing the Cardinals to garner a single shot on goal and leading in corner kicks, 4-1.
In the second half, Gustavus put the nails in the coffin, scoring three more goals to put Saint Mary's away and earn three points at home. Junior
Henrry Abarca-Gonzalez (Des Moines, Iowa) dispossessed his defender in the 51st minute and was able to dribble through three defenders and calmly smash the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for his second goal in as many games. Senior
Max Just (Lakeville, Minn.) found classmate
Leo Runestad (Northfield, Minn.) just 1:07 later on a through ball as well, which Runestad was able to take on the half turn and find the bottom left corner to push the lead up to four. Runestad scored his second of the game five minutes later, as senior
Cal Avery (Middleton, Wis.) whipped in a cross from the right flank, which Runestad was able to dive onto for a header.
The fifth and final goal of the match gave head coach
Tyler Oliver the space to sub in players who had not received much time this year. Goalkeepers
Tate Schendel (Clive, Iowa) and
James Woyno (Waconia, Minn.) along with junior
Samuel Holmberg (Mound, Minn.) all played their first minutes this season and first-years Schendel and Woyno played the first of their careers.
Runestad led the team with three shots on goal and two goals. No outfield player played more than 59 minutes, which ended senior
Simon Woods' (Sioux Falls, S.D.) minutes streak at 1059 dating back to last season.
The Gusties will not play Saturday in MIAC competition, but will take on Grinnell on Sunday in Iowa for the start of two games in two days, their last two non-conference contests of the regular season.
