University of Minnesota Athletics
BLOG: No. 25 Soccer Wages Border War
10/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Gophersports.com is once again your live blog home for Minnesota Soccer. The No. 25 Gophers take on archrival Wisconsin tonight at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul. U of M Athletic communications flunkie Doug Vose will be checking in with you periodically here throughout the evening. If you'd like Doug to respond to a question or comment, send an email to vosej004@umn.edu.
8:55 PM, 0:00
The game goes final with Minnesota taking a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin to improve to 16-2-0 (6-2-0) on the season. Look for a story on Gophersports.com to follow soon.
8:52 PM, 2:22
It now seems safe to say the Gophers are acknowledging the clock as their ally. Minnesota has packed their defense in when Wisconsin has touch and it taking the ball to the Badger corner when they get the ball deep in the Wisconsin zone.
8:48 PM, 8:33
The Minnesota midfield and defensive core has shown good chemistry here in the second half. The Gophers have not abandoned their counter-attack however - Clare Grimwood and Molly Rouse are still working hard to move the ball up the pitch.
8:33 PM, 20:55
Senior Carlie Edwards gets into the game here with just over 20:00 left. Another good feel-good story here tonight. After suffering a knee injury just four games into her junior season, Edwards has worked to get Minnesota Soccer to the point it is with hard work behing the scenes. Her teammates cheered loudly when Edwards subbed in.
8:25 PM, 27:59
Goal!!!!!!!! Clare Grimwood ripped a blast from 25 yards out into the top left corner to give the Gophers a 2-1 edge. Grimwood took a feed from Kaitlin Wagner and and got into a left-footed blast. Minnesota Soccer fans have got to enjoy seeing Grimwood get a big goal. The senior from Eagan, Minn. has been a soldier in the center of the pitch for the Gophers but hasn't been able to find the back of the net since the Aug. 22 season-opener against Northern Iowa.
8:24 PM, 29:13
Grandma Sue in Mankato writes in to ask how the players are dealing with the chilly conditions here in St. Paul. The Gophers have said that they love playing in the chilly weater, but the cold becomes an issue with subs as sometimes it's extra challenging to come off the pine and get into the flow of the game. Minnesota reserves Katie Shelander, Shari Eckstrom and Josie Solie seem to be responding well.
8:19 PM, 33:44
Thanks to David Lipset on the blog tip. We'll list entries with time remaining in the period in addition to the time. The Gophers are controlling touch again here in the second half, but haven't been able to find a great scoring chance.
8:16 PM
Things are getting chippy out here. It seems that Wisconsin believes the Gophers are being too physical, while the Gophers seem to believe the Badgers deserve an academy award nomination. We'll have to see if the physicality plays a role in the outcome of tonight's match...
8:11 PM
The Gophers will run out the same starting lineup here in the second half as the first half with Tam Strahota up top and Katie Bethke playing out wide.
7:52 PM
The match reaches halftime with Minnesota and Wisconsin still tied at one goal apiece.
7:50 PM
Referee Jeremy Schroeder is handing out yellow cards like hot cakes here in the closing moments of the first half. The Badgers have earned two cards while the Gophers have three.
7:37 PM
We've got a wild one here at the Robbie. The Gophers had another great chance as Lindsey Schwartz found the end of a great Clare Grimwood free kick. Wiscosnin keeper Jamie Klages tipped the header up and off the crossbar.
7:31 PM
Wisconsin answers right back with a goal of their own. The Badgers' Leigh Williams gets credit for the goal.
7:29 PM
GOAL! Kaitlin Wagner scores from the center of the field just inside the 18-yard box off an assist from Clare Grimwood.
7:24 PM
Minnesota senior netminder Lindsey Dare just made a fantastic save at point blank range as Wisconsin managed to get a ball in behind the Minnesota defense. Dare's 0.35 goals against average leads the Big Ten and ranks ninth nationally.
7:21 PM
The Gophers' Clare Grimwood was just called for a yellow card following a foul. The Minnesota fans and bench seemed to disagree with the officials' call.
7:16 PM
The Minnesota midfield has really dominated touch here in the early goings. That dominance had helped the Gophers earn a handful of early corner kick opportunities. Wisconsin seems to be a bit frustrated and has committed some early fouls.
7:09 PM
Katie Bethke was inches from a great scoring chance inside the goalie box but was beaten to the ball by Wisconsin keeper Jamie KIages. Bethke seemed to get clipped on the play, but she looks fine now.
7:00 PM
And we're underway as Wisconsin takes the opening kick. In spite of the late October weather, it looks like we'll have a solid crowd here on Senior Night.
6:54 PM
Kirk Possehl, the Minnesota PA announcer, is introducing the ELR crowd to tonight's starters. The Gophers have just one change to their usual starting lineup: freshman Tam Strahota starts in place of midfielder Julie Rezac. Sophomore Katie Bethke slides from her usual starting spot at forward to a wide midfield position. Minnesota will wear white uniforms tonight with maroon numerals while Wisconsin sports their red uniforms with white trim and white numbers.
6:20 PM
The Gophers have made their way to the sideline from the locker room and some have leaked onto the field to begin their pregame warmup routine. In honor of senior night, we see seven huge banners honoring hanging on the fence along the south side of the field honoring each senior. Very cool.
6:15 PM
Hello, Gopher soccer fans! It certainly feels like fall out here tonight. It's a great night for a hayride, a high school football game or a bonfire, but an even better night for Minnesota Soccer. The Badgers are bundled up and have just taken the field for pregame warmups. Judging by the subtle rumblings in the press box, the Gophers are still in the locker room jamming out to pregame tunes.
