The Gustavus men’s soccer team started its 2016 season with a 5-3 loss at Wartburg College.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted but still a good performance,” Gustavus Head Coach Mike Middleton said. “The game could have gone either way.”

After 10 minutes of play, the ensuing 10 minutes resulted in a flurry of goals. Gustavus started the scoring at the 10:12 mark on a goal from Arthur Parens as he found the lower right corner of the net. Wartburg answered nearly five minutes later with a dribbler through the lower left side of the goal.

The Knights then took a 2-1 lead two minutes later on a goal that went through the middle-left side of the net. And at the 20:04 mark, the Gusties netted the equalizer off the foot of Matt Ouren and the two squads went into halftime tied 2-2.

Wartburg wasted little time regaining the lead, scoring just 35 seconds into the second half on a goal through the upper right corner. The Knights then took advantage of an open net in the 54th minute to take a 4-2 advantage. But the Gusties would not go quietly as Patrick Rothe found the right side of the goal with the assist of Alex Wilson.

As time was winding down, Roth nearly netted the equalizer in the 87th minute on a header, but the Wartburg keeper made a diving save. On the ensuing possession, the Knights went the length of the pitch and added an insurance goal as a shot found its way to the back of the net through the lower right side.

Matt Bateman started in goal for the Gusties and made nine saves. His counterpart, Paul Koebke Barsic, made seven saves.

“We had a couple chances to go ahead, but it wasn’t the result we wanted,” Middleton said. “The performance was good and I’m excited about the way we played. Wartburg was a very good team and they played very well. It was a very good performance.”

The Gustavus men’s soccer team’s home opener Saturday was spoiled by St. Scholastica as the visitors won by a score of 4-1. The loss moves the Gusties to 0-2 overall, while the Saints improve to 1-1 overall.

“Quite an exciting game today, with both teams going at it,” Head Coach Mike Middleton said. “The result could have gone either way, and I was pretty convinced at halftime that the game was there for the taking. We created some good chances and certainly had enough possession to have won the game. But, some early season sloppiness defending set-plays cost us.”

St. Scholastica took an early lead in the 10th minutes as Shawayne Folkes tapped in a well-placed pass from inside the box, which went through the lower left corner of the goal. Ten minutes later, the Saints took a 2-0 advantage with a score off a corner kick, which bended into the net.

The Gusties didn’t waste much time to respond, scoring at the 23:12 mark. Luke Laurich collected a deflection off the crossbar and buried it in the back of the net for his first career goal. John Anderson was credited with the assist. The two teams played even throughout the rest of the first and went into halftime with a 2-1 score.

The Saints increased their lead in the 56th minute and added an insurance goal six minutes later off another corner kick goal.

Anders Severson got the nod in goal and suffered the loss in his first start of the season. He made five saves, while the Saints’ keeper made eight saves. The Gusties outshot the Saints 15-12.

“The players are all working really hard and have had a tough, demanding preseason,” Middleton said. “Hopefully that puts gas in the tank for later on. We knew at the start of the season that we had taken on a tough non-conference schedule challenge, and its not going to get any easier. Provided we learn from the considerable amount we did well, and change the things we did not do so well then I’m happy. The conference is what we are aiming at, and this is just the aperitif. You play the tough teams to learn and develop.

“Some good performances from players making their competitive debuts today – John Anderson played 90 minutes after a late drop-out through injury of the starting central defender, although he did play the last five minutes of last game. David Almaer, Jerod Petrovic, and Teriq Canale also played well.”

The Gusties were to wrap up the Gustavus Classic at against Knox, who defeated St. Scholastica 1-0 Friday and is seeking an outright tournament championship, and eventually snipped the Gusties 1-0 the following day.

Playing on the alternative field on campus due to poor field conditions on the Gustie Soccer Field, the Gustavus men’s soccer team claimed its first victory of the season, 5-0 over Martin Luther College.

“A good game for everyone tonight, that needed winning, and the lads deserve great credit for that,” Head Coach Mike Middleton said. “We moved the ball with great tempo, and looked the part for the whole of the game. I was very pleased with the performance.”

Arthur Parens scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 22nd minute. Parens broke free in front of the box, shot, recovered the deflection, and buried the second chance.

With five minutes remaining in the first half, Henry Brose streaked down the right side and crossed the ball down to Patrick Roth, who volleyed the ball and scored through the lower-left corner of the net. Gustavus led 2-0 at the break.

The Gusties went back to work early in the second as Matt Murakami  blocked a clearance from the keeper and scored his first goal of the season. Not even five minutes later, Murakami tallied his second goal on a penalty kick. Brose added the fifth and final goal in the 76th minute on a through-ball from Luke Laurich as Brose followed it for a few steps and then took the shot.

“I was really happy for Matt Murakami, who scored a brace as well as playing well,” Middleton said. “Matt is such a hard-worker for the team, really puts in a shift up-front covering large areas of ground. His partner, Arthur Parens, put in another sterling performance looking exceptionally quick, dynamic and dangerous. Patrick Roth and Henry Brose replaced those two up-front, both proving elusive with exceptional movement and interchange.”

“The team moved the ball well in central midfield, the wide players played some dangerous balls in, and we created a handful of chances including hitting the crossbar and post on more than one occasion.”

Gustavus fired 28 shots in the game, the most since last season’s opener against Martin Luther. The Knights got off nine shots.

“Several players shone in midfield – I’m really pleased with Isaac Bloom. He’s developing into a top player at this level,” Middleton said. “Alex Wilson and Brad Williams did particularly well, and another good performance from Freshman Brock Sullivan.

“We looked solid at the back, with both ‘keepers getting some time and looking accomplished.  Kyle Monson started his first game of the season, and I was really pleased with his performance. Perhaps the star of the show once again was Dan Barnes, who along with his defense partner John Anderson, looked solid, composed, and in control.”

Anders Severson started in goal and made one save in 61 minutes of play. Matt Bateman finished off the game and made one save as well.

Gustavus faced St. Mary’s (Md.) followed by a match against Salisbury State in Maryland.

“We are going to Maryland this weekend to play two exceptional teams,” Middleton said. “It’ll be a tough one, but what a chance to show the top teams in another region what we’ve got. This game today has set us up nicely, and we are all really looking forward to the trip.”

Unfortunately for Gustavus, they would drop both of these games by scores of 1-0 and 2-1 respectively. The Gusties opened the MIAC with another close loss, this time in overtime to the No. 6 ranked Macalaster.