As the regular season ended for the women’s soccer team, all of the focus was turned to the MIAC playoffs. Throughout the regular season, the team compiled a record of 9-5-3 and finished 6th in the conference with a record of 5-4-2 in MIAC play.

Being the last team to qualify for playoffs, the Gusties had their work cut out for them, facing higher seeded opponents and playing all their remaining games on the road. The team did not let this phase them however and brought a great mindset into its first playoff game against St. Olaf, according to Head Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie.

“Playoffs are an entire new season,” Burnett-Kurie said. “We went into the game with belief and confidence balanced with knowing it was going to be a battle. St. Olaf is a tough matchup, they are technical and dangerous in the final third. Our team battled hard, found a rhythm and figured out a way to win.”

The team remained scoreless with St. Olaf going into the second half thanks to a diving penalty kick save by Junior goalkeeper Ashley Becker in the 44th minute of play. The Gusties took this momentum into the second half. Just 34 seconds into play, Junior Chase Miller scored an unassisted goal. Junior Emily Skogseth followed up with a goal of her own just seven minutes after, assisted by Senior Sophie Leininger.

“We knew there was something special about this team from the first scrimmage during preseason.” — Coach Burnett-Kurie

The team advanced to the semifinals Nov. 1, taking on No. 2 seeded St. Thomas for a spot in the final. In a dramatic game, the Gusties ended up on top after the game was forced into penalty kicks after two periods of overtime could not decide the winner.

Sophomore Abby Mullenbach found the back of the net early in the game off an assist from Skogseth. St. Thomas responded with a goal of their own in the 22nd minute of play. The game remained tied at 1-1 until it was forced into a penalty shootout.

Becker made two big saves in the shootout while Seniors Emily Odermatt and Hannah Sturtz, Leininger, and Miller buried their chances for the Gusties.

“We’ve been preparing for PK’s and our players trusted their preparation,” Burnett-Kurie said. “They were confident, calm and collected – all of which showed as they buried all four. I absolutely love the fight and heart of this team.”

With the win against St. Thomas, the Gusties advanced to the playoff finals Nov. 4. After a hard-fought battle from the team and a strong performance from Becker who recorded 9 saves, the Gusties let up a goal in double overtime, ending their season.

The team finished with an overall record of 10-6-4 which was something to be proud about, according to Burnett-Kurie.

“We knew there was something special about this team from the first scrimmage during preseason,” Burnett-Kurie said. “We rode the highs and lows of the season and made a huge push at the end of the year. While today’s result didn’t go in our favor, it doesn’t take away from the heart and fight we played with.”

The strong performances at the end of the season were largely due to this year’s senior players, who came a long way over their four years playing.

“This playoff run was a huge tribute to our seniors, who have helped turn this program into one of the top teams in the conference. To make it to the conference championship two out of the last three years after winning one conference game their first year speaks to the character, leadership, drive, and belief this senior class had,” Burnett-Kurie said.