SAINT JOSEPH, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s soccer team traveled to Saint Benedict on Wednesday to play a rescheduled conference match against the Concordia Cobbers due to inclement weather. The Gusties took a 5-2 victory and improve to 11-4 overall and 5-2 in the conference.
“Our team is learning lessons,” said Head Coach Tudor Flintham. “And that is really important. Today’s lesson was that we simply have to play with urgency against every MIAC opponent. Concordia is a really dangerous team and it took 45 minutes for our guys to really absorb that message. We got out-played. But again the mark of good teams, is the reaction. And we picked ourselves up and put together a really good half. Partly because a lot of our younger players stepped up.”
Both competitors had several scoring opportunities but the Cobbers got on the board first 30 minutes into the match. At the 39 minute mark Owen Johnson (So., Apple Valley) tapped in the first Gustie goal to the back post from six yards out to reset the game, while Sam Just (So., Lakeville) was credited the with assist.
Concordia was quick to respond 30 seconds later and tilted the lead back in their favor. Gustavus had the advantage in possession, outshooting the Cobbers 8-6 before ending the first half.
Gustavus fought back in an electrifying second frame. Beating out the Cobber defense, Nick Leach (Sr., Sioux Falls) crossed over a pass to Ethan Miller (Fy., St. Cloud) on a header for an equalizer goal. The Gusties gained the upper hand after drawing a foul, and Matthew Gibbons (Sr., Minneapolis) went over the wall on a free kick to secure a 3-2 lead.
In the final 23 minutes Otis Anderson (So., Minneapolis) crossed the ball to Johnson at the back post, setting up Cole Schwartz (Jr., Jakarta, Indonesia) to deliver on a first-time finish and doubling the lead.
Johnson continued to set up plays making a final pass to Alex Krumenauer (Fy., St. Michael) who went on a breakaway, notching his first collegiate goal for the fifth and final Gustie goal.
Newcomer Egan Bedwell (Fy., Milwaukee, Wis.) played all ninety minutes of the match and was credited with his seventh win of the season, holding the Cobbers to just two goals.
“We have a lot of really talented underclassmen, so seeing Owen Johnson add another goal and two assists, Ethan Miller scored the equalizer and drew a red card on a break away, Sam Just added an assist and had a really important second half, Egan Bedwell won another game between the sticks, Jared Hecht (Fy., Apple Valley) was a defensive force yet again, and Alex Krumenauer scored his first collegiate goal. All these guys are playing their first competitive season of NCAA soccer, so for them to step up this season and contribute the way they are, that’s an important and encouraging thing.”
The Gusties are back in action on Saturday when they host the Bethel Royals for a conference match with a 12:30 kick-off.