University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Soccer Defeats North Dakota State 3-1
10/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Junior Becky Dellaria had two goals and an assist as the University of Minnesota soccer team (7-10-0) defeated North Dakota State, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. It was the first-ever meeting with the Bison (5-9-1) who are in their first season competing at the Division I level. The Golden Gophers improved to 9-0-1 in their last 10 non-conference home games.
Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute as sophomore Haley Lentsch scored from 10 yards out on a one-timer from Dellaria. The Bison answered in the waning moments of the first half as Michelle Martinez split a pair of defenders and fired a shot from 35 yards out. The ball deflected off of the cross bar and bounced over the line with less than six minutes to go in the half.
The Golden Gophers regained the lead for good in the 55th minute as Dellaria fired a shot from the right side. NDSU goalkeeper Katie Reed was in position to make the save, but the ball sailed through her hands and into the goal. Dellaria closed out the scoring with less than five minutes to play. Lentsch fed Dellaria with a pass up the left side and she fired a shot from 15 yards out that beat Reed.
Minnesota held an 18-9 edge in shot attempts, including an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. Junior Molly Schneider earned the win for Minnesota with three saves, while Reed finished with five saves.
"I thought we played much better in the second half," head coach Mikki Denney Wright. "We had a lot of opportunities that we did not capitalize on today, but we were still able to grind out a victory. This time of year it's important to finish strong so it was good to see our kids get a pair of wins this weekend."
The Golden Gophers will conclude their 2004 season next Friday night as they host South Dakota State at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. Just like North Dakota State, the Jackrabbits are in their first season at the Division I level.
