Gustavus Adolphus College

SAINT PETER, Minn. - The Gustavus men's soccer team earned their first blemish on their MIAC record on Saturday, tying Augsburg, 1-1. After falling behind by a goal in the first half, the Gusties battled back in the second half and not only tied the game, but had chances to win it as well. 

It was a cagey affair on Saturday afternoon, matching the ominous weather that invaded Saint Peter throughout the duration of the match. A total of three goals have been scored since 2022 between the teams when they play and today was no different, with each team finding one but both teams were fairly stalwart defensively until the last 10 minutes, when the teams started going for the win a bit more freely. There were nine total shots on goal in the contest and Gustavus held a slight advantage, 5-4. 

The first 10 minutes of the game was dominated by a strong spell of possession by the Gusties and was illustrated by two shots by senior Joe Flory (Whitchurch, England), but nothing showed and soon the tide changed. After an outstretched save by junior Jackson Baker (Excelsior, Minn.) led to an Augsburg corner, the Auggies capitalized to take the lead, 1-0 via an unlucky deflection that right to an Augsburg forward. The following 10 minutes held four shots for Augsburg, but Baker made one save, one was blocked, and one missed to keep the differential at one. The last 20 minutes of the half was a snippet at the pressure that would be applied by Gustavus in the second section, with senior Jack Isroff (Valparaiso, Ind.) forcing a save and two more shots being taken. The Auggies held a small advantage in shots on goal, 3-1, but Gustavus' advantage came in corner kicks, 5-1. 

Gustavus flipped the script in the second half, leading Augsburg in shots on goal, 4-1, which included one goal. In the 52nd minute, senior Reid Wolf (Rosemount, Minn.) won the ball in the corner and sent a cross into the penalty area. Sophomore Kieran Mahan (Wayzata, Minn.) did not quite get a touch on the ball, but his attempt was enough to let the ball run free to Isroff, who turned with the ball and finessed the ball into the bottom left corner with his left foot. Just a minute later, Mahan and senior Leo Runestad (Northfield, Minn.) took shots that forced back-to-back saves, but could not score the second goal in as many minutes. The Gusties withheld a 15-minute stretch without a shot and three total for the Auggies and were able to turn back onto the front foot in the last 15 minutes, particularly in the final five minutes. Both teams were moving the ball end-to-end and the best opportunity came for the sophomore Mahan, whose touch was just a little heavy to put himself on a breakaway with just under two minutes left. 

Isroff led the team with two shots on goal, followed by Flory, Mahan, and Runestad with one each.  Baker made three saves in goal and senior Simon Woods (Sioux Falls, S.D.) was the sole player who played the full 90 in the outfield. 

Gustavus returns to action on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., hosting Bethany Lutheran for a non-conference matchup. 
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