Gutierrez Sets New Career Best in Saves as Mustangs Draw Against St. Francis
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mount Mercy (2-1-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
St. Francis (IL) (2-0-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
JOLIET, Ill. — Mount Mercy battled Saint Francis (Ill.) to a 0-0 draw Wednesday afternoon, with senior goalkeeper Manuela Gutierrez setting a new career high with nine saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Gutierrez faced 17 shots, including nine on frame, and delivered critical stops throughout both halves. The Mustangs improved to 2-1-1 on the season while denying the Saints (2-0-1) a home victory in their third straight unbeaten outing.
Saint Francis controlled much of the opening period, generating 11 shots. Gutierrez's busiest stretch came midway through the first half, when she recorded three saves in a four-minute span, including a diving effort in the 19th minute to stop a low strike from Mia Ocana. She finished with five saves before halftime.
Mount Mercy managed six first-half shots but could not solve Saint Francis goalkeeper Giselle Mata. The Mustangs' best look before intermission came in the 22nd minute when Ava D'Ambrosio's header off a corner kick drifted wide.
The Mustangs increased their attacking presence in the second half, producing seven shots and forcing Mata into six saves overall. Brielle Bastian tallied four attempts, with two on target, while Nadine Sanchez and Renata Bernal-Martinez each tested the keeper. Mount Mercy earned a pair of corner kicks but could not convert on set pieces.
Gutierrez maintained her composure in the closing stages as Saint Francis pressed for a late winner. She stopped attempts from Isabel Diez in the 79th and 85th minutes, securing her first shutout of the season.
Defensively, Mount Mercy limited the Saints to just six second-half shots after the early pressure. The Mustangs committed 10 fouls in the match and played the final 70 minutes with caution after Savannah Stout received a yellow card in the 20th minute.
The Mustangs wrap up non-conference play with a quality result, and look ahead to conference play beginning on Saturday, hosting in-state foe Grand View, with kickoff slated for 1 p.m.