You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

Womens Soccer Lose to GAC but Beat Grinnell

Anna Rehder
October 9, 2001

One conference loss didn?t prevent the St. Olaf women?s soccer team from coming back and playing hard against another MIAC powerhouse. Friday, October 5, the Oles took on Gustavus Adolphus College and showed definite improvement from their loss to Macalester earlier in the week. The game began with both teams exchanging possessions frequently. The Gusties put the first goal in at the 5-minute mark on a nice through ball in the corner. The goal was credited to Renee Beaudry of Gustavus. The next goal was scored in the 23rd minute and was again finished by Gustavus. This time it was Michelle Kurtz with the score. The Oles were unable to put anything on the board despite some close opportunities. The first half ended with Gustavus leading 2-0.

The Oles won the second half 1-0, but it wasn?t enough to bring them even with the Gusties. Brie Messick (So, Hastings, Minn.) scored the only Ole goal in the 36th minute, with a slotted ball that hit the post and finally made its way into the goal. The Oles played competitive soccer the entire second half and again created several more opportunities for themselves, but just weren?t able to capitalize. Gustavus ended the game with 14 shots, while the Oles only got off 9.

After disappointing conference losses the last two times out on Ralph Melby Field, the St. Olaf women?s soccer team was able to bounce back with confidence on their home turf to secure a 3-0 win over Grinnell College. The Oles were able to score early in the first half. The pass came from Kristi Parks (So, Plymouth, Minn.) and found the feet of Brie Messick (So, Hastings, Minn.), who finished it off to put the Oles ahead 1-0. The rest of the first half was a back and forth struggle with both teams getting a few looks at goal. Overall the Oles did a nice job of possessing the ball despite a physical Grinnell team. The half ended with St. Olaf ahead by one.

The second half was all Oles. Another tally on their side of the scoreboard came when Stacy Gauger (Sr, Bloomington, Minn.) attacked from the right side and scored an unassisted goal on a beautiful shot that gave the keeper no chance. The Oles added another in the 72nd minute. The assist came out of the defense this time with a through ball from central defender Maiken Overton (FY, Minneapolis, Minn.). Parks caught up to it and finished with an easy shot past the stranded keeper. The Oles kept the Grinnell goalie active with 11 shots. She came away with four saves. Grinnell took only seven shots. Ole keeper Jillian Helseth (Jr, Hartford, SD) racked up six saves in her second game replacing injured keeper Elizabeth Brandell (So, Apple Valley, Minn.)

The win brings the Oles to 7-3 overall and keeps their conference record at 3-2. St. Olaf plays at home again Tuesday, October 9th at 4:00pm against Saint Mary?s University.

Contact Judy Stromayer at 507-786-3315 or stromaye@stolaf.edu.