Last Saturday was a good day to be a Gustie, largely in part to the success of the Gustavus Women’s Soccer team, who captured their first ever MIAC playoff title with a 1-0 victory over St. Thomas. Not only was this the team’s first MIAC playoff title, but it was also their first ever appearance in the playoff tournament. With the playoff title, the Gusties have also clinched a berth in the national tournament.
The Gusties compiled a regular season record of 11 wins, 6 losses, and 1 tie. Within the conference, the team’s record included 8 wins and 3 losses in the regular season, which led to a #2 seed in the conference playoff tournament. With that #2 seed came a home game in the playoffs. On Wednesday, Nov. 8, the Gusties hosted 6th seeded Concordia. In this semi-final game, Gustavus came out with a 2-0 victory. The winning effort was created by goals from Junior Maddison Ackiss, who leads the team in goals scored, and Sophomore Emily Odermatt.
The team then traveled to top-seeded St. Thomas last Saturday for the championship game. The game ended with Gustavus on top 1-0. First-year Chaselyn Miller scored the lone goal in the game, leading Gustavus to their first ever MIAC title.
Achieving this was no easy task. Last season, the team won just 2 games and were near the bottom of the conference. This season’s success has taken a lot of hard work and dedication.
“We came together as a team and set very high goals for ourselves. We really pushed ourselves during the offseason so we could come into the season being in top shape,” Ackiss said.
Head coach Laura Burnett-Kurie accredits the team’s success to the players.
“It was fantastic to clinch the team’s first ever MIAC playoff berth. Our players set their mind to it early this season and followed through with their expectations. All the credit goes to the team and their hard work,” Coach Burnett-Kurie said.
The team is filled with young talent this year.
“This year we are incredibly young, but with our strong leadership from the upperclassmen, the team has gelled together very well,” Coach Burnett-Kurie said.
One first-year who has made a large impact this season is goalkeeper Ashley Becker. Becker, who has netted a whopping total of 11 shutouts this season, embraces the pressure of being a goalkeeper.
“Personally, I love the pressure. It helps me stay engaged and focused in the game and helps me push myself,” Becker said.
“All the credit goes to the team and their hard work. This year we are incredibly young, but with our strong leadership from the upperclassmen, the team has gelled together very well.”
—Coach Burnett-Kurie
“We Over Me” has become a common phrase within the team, a philosophy the players have bought into.
“Our unity and our ‘We over Me’ philosophy has really helped us push ourselves to reach our max potential,” said Coach Burnett-Kurie.
Up next for the Gusites is the Division III national tournament.
“This feeling is unreal. Each and every member of this team are exceptional individuals and what they have accomplished this year is absolutely incredible. As a coaching staff, we are so very proud of them and are thrilled they have the experience of playing in the National Tournament,” Coach Burnett-Kurie said.
A regionals selection show took place on Monday, Nov. 9 to decide the bracket. This Friday, Nov. 13, the team will travel to Whitewater, Wisconsin to take on Wheaton College (Illinois) in the first round of the tournament. If the Gusties are able to defeat the Thunder from Wheaton, they will take on the winner of the first round matchup between Wisconsin-Whitewater and Carroll University (Wisconsin) on Saturday, Nov. 14th.
“We have a tough draw vs. Wheaton, however we have been battle-tested game after game in the MIAC. We are excited for the opportunity to play against some of the top teams in the country,” Coach Burnett-Kurie said.
This season has been one of many firsts for the Gustavus Women’s Soccer program. The team has enjoyed every minute of it and hopes to build on this successful season for years to come.