PELLA, Iowa – The Gustavus women’s soccer team opened its 2021 season with a 2-1 non-conference victory at Central College on Wednesday afternoon. The Gusties scored both of their goals in the first half and staved off a late comeback effort by the Dutch to earn the win.
After trading possessions to start the match, the Gusties scored a counterattacking goal with a run up the right side. Page Cocchiarella (Sr., Owatonna) played the ball from the outside toward Katie Ashpole (Sr., Chaska) who took a touch and finished from 12 yards out for the first goal of the season. With 40 seconds left in the opening frame, Elin Swenson (Fy., Uppsala, Sweden) fired a shot on a rope from 35 yards out and put it home in the upper 90 post for an impressive first career goal. The Gusties led 2-0 at half.
Gustavus controlled possession for most of the second half and created a number of scoring opportunities but was unable to extend the lead. A few shots went off the crossbar and the Dutch goalkeeper made a couple saves to keep the difference at two goals. Central scored its lone goal late in the game to put pressure on the Gusties, but the visitors were able to keep the lead and held on for the win.
“Our coaching staff is very happy and proud of the way we played and fought today,” Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie said. “We continued to grow into the game, adapted well and worked together to not only get the result but to show our potential. The second half we found a rhythm and flow and it was so much fun to watch our team keep possession in our attacking half. We learned a lot from this game, including game management with central scoring a late goal and learning how to gut out the win at the end. The team’s energy, communication and positivity showed and everyone really came together to start eh year off with a big win.”
Abby Goodno (Sr., Little Canada) earned the win in goal with the help of a back line consisting of Megan King (Jr., Savage), Tayler Grossman (Sr., Lakeville), Molly Waters (Jr., Lakeville), and Sara Kugler (Fy., Lakeville).