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Flurry of Late Goals Leads Men’s Soccer Over Loras 3-1

The Gustavus men’s soccer team trailed for more than 76 minutes Sunday, but was knocking on the doorstep for much of the second half. The offensive pressure finally paid off with under eight minutes remaining as the Gusties scored three goals in a 101-second span to defeat Loras 3-1.

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BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s soccer team trailed for more than 76 minutes Sunday, but was knocking on the doorstep for much of the second half. The offensive pressure finally paid off with under eight minutes remaining as the Gusties scored three goals in a 101-second span to defeat Loras 3-1. The Gusties remain undefeated at 3-0-2 overall, while handing the Duhawks their first loss of the season as they drop to 3-1.

Loras started the game with a goal just 6:30 into the contest and sat on a 1-0 lead for the majority of the game. The Duhawks outshot the Gusties 5-4 in the first 45 minutes, but the field shifted in the second half as the Gusties outshot the visitors 10-2 in the final 45 minutes. The equalizer was scored by Brooks Luttinen (Fy., Madison, Wis.), the first of his young career, at the 82:43 mark, assisted by Otis Anderson (Jr., Minneapolis) and Ethan Glissendorf (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.). Not even a minute later, Jared Hecht (So., Apple Valley) scored what proved to be the game-winner with the help of Alex Krumenauer (Jr., Otsego). Hecht and Krumenauer flipped roles 54 seconds later as Krumenauer added an insurance goal at the 84:24 mark, assisted by Hecht.

The Gusties outshot the Duhawks 14-7 as Wesley Sanders (Sr., Urbandale, Iowa) made two saves in another complete game victory.

“If we begin games the way we chose to play in the second half, we will be an extremely exciting team this year,” Head Coach Tudor Flintham said. “It’s no secret that we have been a bit banged up and missing a lot of players. Which is why we maybe looked a little inexperienced and naive in the first half. We missed a basic assignment which is a nonnegotiable in our program, and we got punished. Against quality teams like Loras that’s usually enough to cost you the game, but I’m so extremely proud of the response at half time. The guys learned some valuable lessons from the first half, and then their attitude was correct and the boys came out with a passion and determination that we simply have to play with in every game.
“It was truly another full team effort. We still haven’t conceded a goal in the run of play against some of the top teams in the region. The build group was high quality and their counter shape as good as we’ve seen it in the second half. The midfield battled and won considerably more second balls. And then the equalizer from Brooks was just so sweet and deserved. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to Alex Krumenauer and Jared Hecht. The link up between those two was scary at times.”

Gustavus opens MIAC play at home Tuesday against St. Scholastica. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.