SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s soccer team won over Concordia in a 3-2 final at home on Thursday. With the win, the Gusties move 3-2-0 in the 2021 season.
“Today was a super fun game,” said Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie “We were able to focus on our strengths and it showed. We have worked this week on having an edge in the final third to put the ball in the back of the net, and the team rose to that challenge with scoring three goals in the first 47 minutes. We generated a lot of other opportunities as well.”
The Gusties came into the matchup with high energy and in a collaborative effort. Page Cocchiarella (Sr., Owatonna) and Maddie McDermott (Sr., Mendota Heights) delivered on a play for Katie Ashpole (Sr., Chaska) to score the first goal of the game in the first seven minutes. The Gusties continued to put up an offensive heavy first frame keeping the Cobbers on edge for the opening half outshooting them 10-1. Taylor Hemme (Sr., Eden Prairie) was able to deke out the Concordia goalkeeper and find the back of the net with assists credited to Kari Cammerrer (Sr., Savage) and Ashpole for the 2-0 lead at the end of the first period.
Despite entering with a lead in the second half, the Gusties did not let off the gas. Annika Lewis (So., Hudson, Wis.) stayed quick on the draw and tacked on a third goal just two minutes into the period with Lauren Johnson (Sr., Woodbury) on the assist. In one of the more physical matchups of the season, Leah Pavlish (Jr., Prior Lake) kept the Gusties in the clear with her three saves until the Cobbers were able to put up two goals in the final twenty minutes. The late efforts wouldn’t be enough as Gustavus picked up the 3-2 win.