Box Score Duluth, MN. - The St. Scholastica Women's Soccer team wrapped up their 2024 season today against the MIAC Competitor, Gustavus Adolphus College. The Gusties took the win 5-1 and will continue their season into the MIAC playoffs next week as the six-seed team.
How it Happened
First Half
Both teams started slowly in the opening minutes, with most of the time spent near midfield. Keeping possession was a struggle, but the Saints recorded the first shot of the game at 4:49, as Sophie Paul (Shakopee, Minn./Holy Family Catholic HS) sent one high and center. The Gusties goalkeeper denied it.
The pace depleted once again, with multiple stoppages occurring from throw-ins. Gustavus's first three shots were entirely blocked by the Saints defenders, preventing any on-target shots for the opening 15 minutes of play.
At 19:48, the Gusties finally found an opening in the Saints defenders and put one in the back of the net.
Off the kickoff, just 35 seconds later, the Gusties scored again. They led 2-0.
Gustavus wouldn't stop there, scoring a third goal about nine minutes later.
Gabrielle Eckman (Brainerd, Minn./Brainerd HS) made her move to score, beating the defenders from the Gusties but was unable to get past the goalkeeper. Gusties still led 3-0.
The Gusties maintained dominance for the remainder of the half, tallying seven shots following their third goal.
Second Half
It was the Saints who opened up the shot attempts again in the second, Abigail Shrode (Hamilton, Mich./Hamilton HS) tallied her first on-target shot of the game, but the Gustavus goalkeeper stood on her head and denied Shrode of the goal.
But the following 10 minutes were absolutely electric, with both teams going shot for shot with both goalkeepers making monumental saves.
At 59:25, the Gusties popped in a lucky one during a scramble in the box. They led 4-0.
It was a sea of black and yellow as the Gusties filled up the score sheet with shot attempts, but Gracie Meagher (Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet HS) prevented the deficit from increasing.
A Gustavus player pelted one off the crossbar at 70:45 and had the crowd on the edge of their seats, and the Gusties were able to capitalize on a rebound at the 71-minute mark.
The Saints continued to exert as much pressure as possible on the Gusties. Finally, at 85:42, Ella Stritesky (Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS) found the back of the net and prevented the Gusties' goalkeeper from a shutout. Lily Rippie assisted on her goal.
Despite the solo Saints goal, the Gusties dominated the game and took the win 5-1.
Up Next
This was the final match of the 2024 season for the CSS Women's Soccer team.
