University of Minnesota Athletics
GOPHER SOCCER ELIMINATED FROM BIG TEN TOURNAMENT BY PENN STATE
11/6/1999 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Gophers, 12-8-0, now awaits word from the NCAA Tournament selection committee, which will release the 48-team championship field on Sunday at 9 p.m. Minnesota hopes to make its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Penn State scored twice in the first half and then battled an aggressive Gopher team to hang on to the lead. Forward Courtney Lawson gave Penn State a 1-0 lead, just 11:33 into the match. Kelly Convey crossed the ball to Lawson, who converted from 15 yards out on the left side.
Minnesota wasted little time drawing back into a tie at 1-1. Senior forward Megan Johnson headed in a free-kick pass from Erin Holland at the 16:15 mark. The goal is Johnson's ninth of the season and second of the tournament.
Big Ten Player of the Year, freshman Christie Welsh blasted the game-winning goal at the 28:25 mark of the first half. Welsh warded off three Gopher defenders, dribbled the ball from midfield to the top of the 18-yard box and fired the shot into the left corner of the Gopher net.
The Nittany Lions held a 6-3 advantage in shots at the half, but Minnesota outshot Penn State, 5-4, in the second half. Minnesota's best opportunity to score the tying goal was thwarted by Lion defender Luanne Strom. On a Minnesota corner kick with 21 minutes left in the match, Johnson sailed the kick into the box. Gopher forward Liz Wagner headed the ball past Penn State goalkeeper Emily Oleksiuk but not past Strom, who made the save on the goal line.
Penn State outshot Minnesota by a 10-8 margin. Oleksiuk and Gopher keeper Dana Larson each recorded four saves.
