University of Minnesota Athletics
GOPHERS SHUT OUT IN SOCCER OPENER BY NO. 5 NEBRASKA
8/25/2000 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Nebraska's first goal was credited as an own goal 6:27 into the match after Husker midfielder Meghan Anderson dove at the ball 10 feet out from the left post. Anderson wasn't credited with a shot but the contact caused the ball to ricochet off a number of players and bounced harmlessly into the Gopher goal.
The Huskers scored again less than two minutes later at the 8:12 mark when Shannon Tanaka collected a Kelly Rheem pass and fired it past Gopher goalkeeper Julie Eibensteiner.
The Gophers' best chance to close the scoring gap came at the 14:15 mark when Rachael Roth found herself on a breakaway behind the Husker defense. Preseason All-American keeper Karina LeBlanc charged but Roth's looping shot over LeBlanc bounced just wide right of goal.
The Huskers' added two goals in the second half. Christine Latham scored at 47:14 off Rheem's second assist of the match. Rheem then tallied the Huskers' fourth goal at 62:32 off assists by Anderson and Becky Preston.
"Nebraska beat us to the ball tonight," said Gopher head coach Barbara Wickstrand of her head coaching debut with the Gophers. "You're not going to win many games that way."
"Minnesota is a good team, a team that will contend in the Big Ten and is an NCAA Tournament quality of team," said Nebraska head coach John Walker. "They're a physical, athletic team."
Nebraska outshot the Gophers by a 23-19 margin but only five Minnesota shots were on goal. The Huskers also build a commanding 13-3 advantage in corner kicks.
LeBlanc captured the win in net and collected five saves. Eibensteiner grabbed 10 saves for the Gophers.
Game Summary
