University of Minnesota Athletics
GOPHER SOCCER BLANKS NORTHWESTERN, 1-0
9/26/1999 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Nicole Lee blasted home the gamewinner at the 50:41 mark in the second half off assists by Alison Rackley and Laurie Seidl. Lee became the third player in Minnesota soccer history to tally over 100 points in her career. She now has 101 points on 40 goals and 21 assists.
The Gopher defense stifled the Northwestern (2-7) offense. After allowing the Wildcats two early shot attempts in the first seven minutes of the match, the Gophers dominated defensively, holding Northwestern without a shot for the next 76 minutes. Minnesota finished with a 17-5 advantage in shots.
Northwestern had two chances to tie the match late. With 7:50 remaining, a Wildcat corner kick by Kristen Palmer curved toward the goal. As forward Katie Hertz rushed to the ball, Gopher goalkeeper Dana Larson made a leaping catch to end the play. Two minutes later, Wildcat midfielder Erica Westrich, the 1998 Big Ten Player of the Year, blasted a shot past Larson that ricocheted off the crossbar.
Larson needed just one save to record the shutout, setting a Gopher record with her 22nd career shutout. She bettered Teresa O'Hearn's total of 21.5 shutouts from 1993-1996.
