This year in sports: Looking back on 2015-2016 Gustie Athletics

What a year it’s been for Gustie Athletics! To celebrate the College Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is hosting the second annual Golden Gusties Awards Banquet on Sunday, May 15 in the Don Roberts Ice Rink. The banquety will honor the achievements of all the athletic teams and its student-athletes.  The banquet will include a social hour with hors d’oeuvres and dessert from 6:15 to 7 p.m. prior to the awards presentation at 7.

Football went 7-3, the programs first 7 win season since 2001. The biggest highlight came on Nov. 7, 2015 when the Gusties scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes to beat Concordia-Moorhead 43-34.

Men’s Soccer finished the year 9-5-3 overall and 3-4-3 in the MIAC. Key wins came in against MIAC foes Bethel, Concordia, and Hamline.

Men’s Swim and Dive finished fourth at the MIAC Championships on Feb. 20 after a strong season. The Gusties had  been in fifth place until the final day of the meet, where they edged past Carleton.

Women’s Swim and Dive capped off an excellent season with a second place finish at the MIAC Championships on Feb. 20. The team also sent five individuals to the NCAA Championships.

Softball finished the season 26-12 overall, and second in the MIAC Standings but two close losses in the playoffs ended their season prematurely.

Women’s Golf concluded the season by placing third in the Carleton Invite on May 1. Earlier on, the Gusties placed second in the Minnesota State-Mankato Spring Invite on April 17.

Men’s Tennis earned their 28th straight MIAC regular season championship, and their 6th straight MIAC Playoff Championship. The men will play Staurday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Women’s Tennis solidified a trip to the NCAA Championships by winning the MIAC Playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Women’s Soccer had a remarkable season, going 13-7-1 on the year, and capturing the first MIAC playoff Championship in program history with their 1-0 victory against St. Thomas on Nov. 7, 2015.

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Men’s Basketball battled through injuries all year, but marked an overall record of 12-13. A season highlight came on Feb. 13 when the Gusties overcame a 20-point defecit against Hamline and won 101-91 in overtime.

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Women’s Track and Field team took eighth in the MIAC in Indoor, and looks to place better in Outdoor on May 13 and 14.

Volleyball had a dream season in 2015, making the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008, but falling in the first round to UW-Eau Claire. The Gusties were 27-3 on the year.

Gymnastics took eighth at the WIAC Championships on March 4th. Junior Alex Kopp claimed the National Collegiate Floor championship.

Men’s Hockey ended their season with a record of 6-14-5. It was not the season they wanted, but they still tallied key wins over Saint Mary’s, Augsburg, Saint John’s, Concordia and Bethel.

Women’s Basketball had an outstanding season, finishing 20-7 overall. The Gusties tied for second place in the MIAC, and won their first playoff game since 2012 with a 65-40 domination of St. Benedict’s.

Men’s Track and Field team took eighth in the MIAC in Indoor, and looks to place better in Outdoor on May 13 and 14.

Women’s Cross Country finished 6th in the MIAC, and 11th of 30 teams in the NCAA Central Region Meet.

Men’s Cross Country finished 5th in the MIAC, and 6th of 29 teams in the NCAA Central Region Meet.

Women’s Hockey battled injuries all season, and went 9-13-3 overall. Regardless they fell just short of the playoffs, tying Hamline 1-1 in a must win game on Feb. 20.

Baseball capped off their 20-18 season with a doubleheader sweep of No. 15 St. Thomas on May 7. This marked the first Gustie sweep of the Tommies since 2001. This was the Gusties first .500 or above season since 2008.

Men’s Golf hit a hot streak in the spring. winning three meets in a row, but unfortunately failed to qualify for the NCAA Championships.