ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Gustavus women’s soccer team entered Saturday’s game needing a win or a tie over Macalester to keep playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately for the Gusties, a goal from Macalester’s Ella Short would foil their post-season hopes.
“This was a special team— and overall a great season,” said Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie. “While it ended earlier than we had hoped, that doesn’t take away from how proud this team made us day in and day out. They were committed to each other, living out the values of this program and striving to get better every day.
“It was a joy to watch them play the Gustie tempo today and to fight until the final whistle.”
Both teams played scoreless through the first half, with the Gusties holding the edge in shots on goal, 5-1. Annika Lewis (Sr., Hudson, Wis.) was inches from breaking the scoring deadlock in the 29th minute, taking a feed from Rachel Rehnelt (Sr., Albert Lea) and sending a shot toward the center of the Macalester net that just brushed the fingertips of Macalester goalkeeper Jocelyn Radke, sailing a few inches high of the net.
The Gusties maintained the edge in shots in the second half, but couldn’t get more than one shot on goal past the Macalester defense. The Scots’ offense managed just two shots on goal of their own, one of which would be Short’s deciding goal, scored 13 minutes into the second half.
Elin Swenson (So., Uppsala, Sweden) and Lewis led the offensive attempts for the Gusties, with Swenson posting four shots and Lewis adding three of her own. Abby Goodno (Sr., Little Canada) finished with two saves between the pipes, while her counterpart Radke ended the game making five saves for the Scots. With the victory, Macalester clinches a spot in the MIAC Playoffs, which begin next week.
“For the seniors and super seniors, what an absolute joy it has been to watch you grow as people, players and leaders over the last four or five years. You will hold a special place in our hearts and we are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”
The Gusties finish the season just out of the playoff race, with a final overall record of 7-9-1 and a MIAC record of 4-7-0.