University of Minnesota Athletics
BLOG: The Big Ten Tournament Championship match
11/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
The No. 21 Gophers advanced to the championship match of the Big Ten Tournament with a 1-0 win over Purdue in the semifinal round on Friday. The second seeded Gophers (20-2-0) take on top seeded Nittany Lions (14-7-0), who beat Michigan State by a 1-0 in the second Friday semifinall. Athletic communications assistant Doug Vose is once again with the team and will be checking in from the Iowa Soccer Complex throughout the match. Send Doug a comment or question t vosej004@umn.edu. Minnesota soccer fans can watch today's game live on the Big Ten Network at 2:00 (CT).
SUNDAY, NOV. 9
1-2, Final
Penn State polishes off their Big Ten Tournament title. The Gophers were able to piece together a few promising chances in the final minutes, but weren't able to convert. Alyssa Naeher came up with some big plays to seal the victory for the Nits. Check back with gophersports.com for a full recap later today...
1-2, 2:56, 2nd Half
Penn State is leaning on Katie Schoepfer to kill the clock here in the closing minutes. Minnesota has a few chances to tie the game here, but Penn State seems to have just enough left in the tank on their counter-attack.
1-2, 14:57, 2nd Half
The Gophers just had a great chance, but Alyssa Naeher made a great save on the Gophers' Molly Rouse.
1-2, 22:32, 2nd Half
At the second half media timeout, the Gophers are looking for another signature moment in what has been a remarkable season for Minnesota soccer. Fans who have braved the elements here this afternoon have been treated to some high-level, intense, physical soccer. It seems like a foregone conclusion that there are a number of big moments left in this contest.
1-2, 24:57, 2nd Half
Danielle Toney strikes again. After she had created a handful of chances for the Nits here in the second half, Toney was able to collect a pass from Katie Schoepfer and convert to give PSU a 2-1 lead.
1-1, 30:13, 2nd Half
Lindsey Dare has made some big saves here in the last few minutes. Dare came up with a great save after Danielle Toney worked her way behind the Minnesota defense. Dare has made four saves this afternoon.
1-1, 32:00, 2nd Half
Penn State just had a great scoring chance after Katie Schoepfer led a 3 on 2 break for the Nittany Lions. Alli Rago's shot finished the chance, but Lindsey Dare was able to make a leaping save to keep the game tied at a single goal apiece.
1-1, 39:28, 2nd Half
Neither squad has been able to really establish control here in the opening minutes of the second half. We are certainly seeing more physical play with a Big Ten title on the line.
1-1, Halftime
We've reached the halftime intermission here in Iowa City. PSU's Megan Monroig earned a great chance in the closing second of the half as she deflected a Lindsey Dare clearing attempt. The deflection led to a Zoe Bouchelle cross that Monroig found the end of with a header. Monroig's shot sailed just wide as the clock ticked off the last four second of the half.
1-1, 5:52, 1st Half
GOAL! Shari Eckstrom buries a rebound chance to net the equalizer. Katie Bethke drove the end line and sent in a dangerous cross that led to an Eckstrom shot that Alyssa Naeher was able to deflect. The rebound came right back to Eckstrom and the freshman was able to find the back of the net for her third score of the season.
1-0, 13:13, 1st Half
The Big Ten Network announcers have been reviewing the Penn State goal and have admitted it was a tough call for the officials to make, as the Gophers cleared the ball just after the officials ruled it crossed the line. If Minnesota soccer fans are hoping for Mikki Denney Wright to throw a red flag on the field, they'll be disappointed to learn there are no coaches' challenges in collegiate soccer...
1-0, 22:16, 1st Half
Penn State scores the first goal of the match. It was unclear whether the Penn State goal crossed the Minnesota goal line, but the officials credited the Nittany Lions with a goal. PSU left back Emma Thomson gets credit for the score.
0-0, 22:51, 1st Half
We've reached the first half media timeout. Jeff from Plymouth writes in inquiring about the Gophers' chances of hosting an NCAA regional next weekend at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium next weekend. Obviously, today's game will play a role in both Minnesota's and PSU's seeding for the NCAA bracket, but the Gophers' chances of hosting largely hinge on factors outside their control. The NCAA will determine NCAA regional sites largely based on logistics. Minnesota's chances of hosting will increased if teams like South Dakota State, playing in the Summit League Tournament championship match later today, are named among the NCAA Tournament participants.
0-0, 31:03, 1st Half
Molly Rouse is pushing things here offensively for Minnesota. She just created another solid scoring chance for Minnesota as she drove around a Penn State defender and put a shot on net.
0-0, 34:22, 1st Half
Molly Rouse just ripped a shot just above the crossbar after being fed by Clare Grimwood just inside the 18-yard box. The shot was the Gophers' first of the match.
0-0, 40:33, 1st Half
After the Gophers controlled touch after the initial kickoff, Penn State has had more success sustaining control of play here in the early goings. Danielle Toney just had a shot go wide on a semi-breakaway.
0-0, 45:00, 1st Half
Minnesota will play the opening half with the wind at their backs. We'll see if the Gophers can take advantage, as they've scored each of their four goals this weekend with the wind advantage.
2:00 PM
As the second seed, the Gophers will be sporting their road maroon jerseys with white numerals. The top seeded Nittany Lions are wearing their home whites with navy trim and numerals. Minnesota will try to break a trend of dominating play by higher seeds this weekend. The higher seed has advanced in each of the six matches of the tournament.
1:51 PM
It's a cold day here in Iowa City. Although we won't see the precipitation we have throughout the rest of the tournament, it is especially raw today. The forecast calls for overcast skies and temperatures in the low-30s. It's still a bit breezy today, but the wind won't play as significant of a factor as it did through the first two rounds. The wind is not blowing straight down the pitch, but rather at a 45 degree angle favoring the team moving from right to left from our vantage point in the press box.
1:38 PM
With the 1-0 win over Purdue on Friday, senior netminder Lindsey Dare set an all-time Big Ten record with her 16th shutout this season. Dare's grandparents, Jim and Pat Green, write in from Florida to wish their granddaughter best of luck in this afternoon's game. The Greens and all Gopher fans can follow all today's action as the game airs live on the Big Ten Network at 2:00.
1:35 PM
Minnesota and Penn State have each arrived at the Iowa Soccer Complex and are loosening up for their Big Ten Tournament championship match. The Nittany Lions won the only match between the two squads earlier this year by a 2-0 score. Minnesota outshot Penn State in that contest by an 18-10 margin, but the Nits' dynamic duo of Katie Schoepfer and Danielle Toney made the most of their opportunities. Schoepfer collected two assists on her way to Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors and Toney scored the game-winner in the eighth minute of play.
11:14 AM
The Gophers have just finished up a leisurely brunch at their hotel and will rest up and receive any last-minute treatments they need in the next hour or so before heading to the Iowa Soccer Complex around the noon hour. The team is in relatively good health through their first two matches of the weekend. Katie Bethke, who had been nursing a sore ankle, saw her first action in four games when she played 16 effective minutes in Minnesota's 1-0 win over Purdue on Friday. It will be interesting for Minnesota soccer fans to see how the Gophers coaching coaching staff utilizes the dynamic Bethke on the Gopher attack this afternoon.
Minnesota will attempt to win their first Big Ten Tournament title since 1995 this afternoon. Today's winner will becomes just the second team in the last seven years to capture a Big Ten regular season and tournament title in the same season, joining the 2006 Penn State team.
FRIDAY, NOV. 7
1-0, Final
The Gophers secure their first trip to the Big Ten Tournament championship game with a 1-0 win here over the Boilermakers. Check back for a full recap later this afternoon...
1-0, 4:27 2nd Half
The Gophers are in full clock-burning mode. Kaitlin Wagner just made a nice play to intercept a Purdue pass at midfield and brought the ball deep into the Purdue zone. The Boilers are still trying to get the ball out following the Wagner play.
1-0, 8:03 2nd Half
The Boilermakers have turned up the pressure hear as the match enters its final ten minutes of regulation. A pair of corner kicks for Purdue led to a shot on goal, but Lindsey Dare made a two-handed save.
1-0, 10:58 2nd Half
After a breather, Defensive Player of the Year Kelsey Hood is back into the game for Minnesota, replacing Shari Eckstrom. The Gophers will slide Kaitlin Wagner from a defensive midfield to an attacking mid position with Hood back in the game.
1-0, 15:04 2nd Half
Minnesota has done a solid job of controlling the midfield here in the middle portion of the second half. Shari Eckstrom, Kaitlin Wagner and Clare Grimwood have been particularly effective.
1-0, 21:43 2nd Half
At the second half media timeout, the Gophers hold a 16-3 shot advantage yet still lead only 1-0. Minnesota is still playing aggressively in their attacking third, looking for a two-goal cushion. The Boilers seem to be biding their time as they trail only by a single goal. The precipitation has stopped here briefly, but the clouds would indicate that won't last long.
1-0, 26:19 2nd Half
Play has been fairly balanced here in the second half, although the Gophers have been a touch more effective in their attacking third than Purdue has. Minnesota has outshot the Boilers by a 3-2 margin in the second half.
1-0, 36:31 2nd Half
Either the wind is not playing as large a factor, or the Gophers are playing at a higher level here in the second half. Kaitlin Wagner just had a shot from just outside the 18-yard box sail wide left.
1-0, 40:40 2nd Half
Both teams earned early chances here in the second half. First, Kelsey Hood deflected a Clare Grimwood free kick wide. Then, Purdue sent a ball into the goalie box, but Purdue was called for goalkeeper interference.
1-0, Halftime
The match reaches the halftime break with the Gophers holding a 1-0 lead.
Purdue has yet to win a match this season in which they have trailed, but the Boilers will have the wind advantage in the second half. It will be interesting to see how both teams react to the score, the wind, and the chilly temperatures as they come out in the second half.
1-0, 8:30, 1st Half
The Gophers are working hard for more chances here in the waning minutes of the first half with the knowledge they'll be playing into the breeze in the second stanza. Purdue is using every opportunity possible to milk the clock and get into the halftime break trailing by a single tally.
1-0, 10:32, 1st Half
Clare Grimwood just fed Lindsey Schwartz for another great chance. Schwartz' blast from the right flank hit the crossbar.
1-0, 14:33, 1st Half
Sophomore forward Katie Bethke has just entered the match for Tam Strahota. Bethke has missed the Gophers' last three matches with a sore ankle.
1-0, 18:19, 1st Half
The rain/sleet/snow/wintry mix has started up here again. The lights are on and the players' hands are up inside their sleeves.
1-0, 20:39, 1st Half
The Gophers came out of the first half break to earn a pair of corner kicks. On the second opportunity, Kelsey Hood's got on the end of a driven ball by Lindsey Schwartz and put a solid shot on net, but Jenny Bradfisch made a two-handed save.
1-0, 22:38, 1st Half
We've reached the first half television timeout. On the play immediately preceding the break, Molly Rouse sent a beautiful cross in to an unmarked Kaitlin Wagner. Unfortunately for Minnesota, Wagner's header merely deflected Rouse's ball, resulting in a Purdue goal kick.
1-0, 24:48, 1st Half
Purdue has picked things up here, challenging the Gophers in the midfield and maintaining their possessions longer than they were in the early goings. The Boilers still haven't been able to work the ball into their final third effectively. They seem content to defend as they have the wind in their face.
1-0, 30:30, 1st Half
Molly Rouse has been very active here in the opening minutes. She just intercepted a Purdue clearing attempt and sent a great cross toward the goalmouth, but Kaitlin Wagner's shot went wide.
1-0, 34:17, 1st Half
Tam Strahota just ripped a shot off the crossbar. Minnesota is really taking advantage of the wind advantage here early. Just a few minutes after the Strahota shot, Molly Rouse put a shot on goal that led to a corner kick opportunity for Minnesota.
1-0, 36:44, 1st Half
GOAL! Clare Grimwood scores unassisted with a left-footed laser from 25 yards out. Grimwood's blast beat a leaping Jenny Bradfisch and dipped just under the crossbar.
0-0, 42:11, 1st Half
It's easy to see that the wet surface is also playing a role here early. Passes that might be textured and could check up on dry turf have been skipping here in the early goings.
0-0, 45:00, 1st Half
Minnesota will play the first half with the wind. The Gophers were able to score three times in the half they played with the wind against Northwestern.
12:59 PM
The Gophers will sport their home white jerseys with maroon numerals this afternoon as the higher seed. Purdue is wearing black uniforms with white numerals and trim. Minnesota captains Kaitlin Wagner and Clare Grimwood, along with the Purdue captains, are meeting with the officials. After yesterday's match, it'll be interesting to see what adjustments each team makes for the windy conditions.
12:51 PM
Minnesota will trot out the same lineup they used yesterday in the quarterfinal round. Tam Strahota and Lindsey Schwartz will start at the forwards. Molly Rouse and Julie Rezac will be the wide midfielders while Kelsey Hood, Clare Grimwood and Kaitlin Wagner patrol the central midfield. Kylie Kallman, Jennie Clark and Krystle Kallman are the back line starters. Lindsey Dare is the Minnesota keeper.
Katie Bethke, who started the first 18 games of the season as a forward, has been nursing a sore ankle. Bethke will hopefully see some minutes as a reserve this afternoon. The Gophers seem to be much more dynamic in the final third with Bethke in the lineup.
12:45 PM
We've just had a brief downpour as the teams are still getting loose. The rain/sleet mix was coming down almost horizontally as the breeze here at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The similarity to the conditions today and those of the Gophers' Oct. 26 contest against Northwestern is uncanny.
12:41 PM
The Gophers are on the field and are warming up for their Big Ten Tournament semifinal. It is windy and cold here at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Although the wind does not appear to be gusting as much as is was yesterday, all indications are that it will play a significant role again today. The forecast today for Iowa City calls for temperatures in the upper 30s with about a 40% chance of a rain/snow mix.
It's not clear whether the elements will favor either team this afternoon. The Gophers, however, have a bit of experience playing in wintry conditions this year. On Oct. 26, the Gophers defeated Northwestern by a 2-0 score in wintry conditions at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul.
11:30 AM
The Gophers are preparing to board the bus at their hotel that will take them to the Iowa Soccer Complex. Today's match against Purdue will mark the first time the two schools have met in the Big Ten Tournament or on any other neutral field. The Boilers had owned the series between the teams of late, winning seven consecutive matches before the Gophers won a 1-0 match in double overtime earlier this season. Before that win, the most recent victory by the Gophers over Purdue came on Oct. 6, 2000 when Minnesota won a 2-0 decision in West Lafayette.
10:51 AM
As the Gophers finish up their pregame meal and prepare for a last-minute scouting report on Purdue, it seems as good a time as any to get Gophers fans caught up with how things are breaking down here in Iowa City.
The Minnesota coaching staff spent the majority of the day yesterday at the Iowa Soccer Complex taking in the other three quarterfinal matches at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The coaches felt mostly positive about the Gophers' performance in their win over Northwestern. Although the team struggled playing into the wind in the first half, the staff was still discouraged at first with the team's opening half play. After reviewing the film, however, it seems like the coaches are concluding that perhaps the wind played a larger role in Minnesota's first half struggles then they originally believed.
All four of the higher seeds advanced out of the quarterfinal round yesterday. Purdue dispatched Ohio State by a 2-1 score in the second quarterfinal match. All three of the goals of the OSU-Purdue match came in the first 25 minutes of play. The Boilers are playing without leading scorer Loredana Riverso this weekend. Riverso is in British Columbia this weekend training with the Canadian U-20 Women's World Cup team.
Top-seeded Penn State dispatched tournament host Iowa by a 2-1 score in the third game of the day. Penn State led the game by a 2-0 score for most of the second half and was able to rest some of their starters before the Hawkeyes closed the gap in the final minutes to a single goal.
Michigan State and Illinois played perhaps the game of the day in the 7:00 contest last night. The teams played to a 0-0 tie through 110:00 with the Spartans eventually advancing on penalty kicks. The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, MSU forward Laura Heyboer, was held scoreless on the night and was thwarted on her only penalty kick opportunity. Last night's match may have been a virtual play-in game for the NCAA Tournament, as both teams are considered "on the bubble." It will be interesting to see later today if Heyboer and the Spartans will have enough gas in their collective tanks to give No. 23 Penn State a run for their money in the second semifinal match.
THURSDAY, NOV. 6
3-1, Final
The Gophers advance to the semifinal round with a 3-1 victory over Northwestern. Check back for blog updates and a full recap in a bit...
3-1, 3:33 2nd Half
The comfortable lead has allowed Denney Wright to extend her bench. Carlie Edwards and Elena Fruci are on the pitch here in the waning minutes.
3-1, 5:15 2nd Half
We've been experiencing technical difficulties here in Iowa City. Since we've last checked in, goals by Lindsey Schwartz and Kylie Kallman have given the Gophers a 3-1 lead. Schwartz' four point day has matched a career-best for the Bettendorf, Iowa native.
1-1, 32:33 2nd Half
The Gophers have come out here in the second half with their hair on fire. Although the team is playing with the advantage of the wind here in the second stanza, the team seems to be more physically and more aggressively.
1-1, 41:00 2nd Half
Goal! Kaitlin Wagner nets her sixth goal of the season off assists from Lindsey Schwartz and Molly Rouse. Rouse sent a ball into the center of the field from midfield and Schwartz heeled Rouse's pass to Wagner who went on a breakaway. Wagner beat NU keeper Carolyn Wagner just inside the right post to score the equalizer here in the opening minutes of the second half.
0-1, Halftime
The match reaches halftime with the Wildcats holding a 1-0 lead. After some pointed discourse between Denney Wrigh and her team, we'll see how Minnesota comes out in the second half.
The halftime break allows some time to address some questions submitted by our blog followers. Lisa in Owatonna writes in to inquire about Minnesota's goalkeeper depth in light of freshman Cat Parkhill traveling with the U-20 US national team. Senior keeper Lindsey Dare has played every minute of every game between the pipes for the Gophers this season and the team has an able backup in redshirt freshman Katie Roberts. It looks like depth at keeper is the least of Minnesota's problems here as they trail 1-0 at halftime.
Bob from Champaign, Ill. is curious about any predictions for the tournament. With the Gophers' trailing here at halftime, Bob, the waters are certainly muddied a bit. However, in any tournament things that are unexpected become the expected ... so stay tuned.
0-1, 10:57 1st Half
The Wildcats' Jennifer Baumann scores the first goal of the match off a Northwestern corner kick. Baumann's goal is her second of the season and just the eighth the Gophers have allowed this year.
0-0, 15:15 1st Half
The Gophers have turned things up a notch here. Minnesota just had a corner kick, sent a shot at the goal and earned another as it was deflected out of bounds.
0-0, 20:22 1st Half
It would be fair to say Northwestern is starting to take control here midway through the first half. The 'Cats have out-shot the Gophers 5-2 to this point. Minnesota has committed four fouls to NU's none.
0-0, 28:51 1st Half
The Gophers are still getting organized here. Because of the disadvantage the wind creates, Minnesota is forced to make short passes and is having trouble playing longer balls out to their wide midfielders. Northwestern has parlayed the Gophers' difficulty into a few early opportunities off set pieces, but the Wildcats have been unable to score.
0-0, 37:34 1st Half
The Gophers have controlled play here early, but are clearly battling the elements. Minnesota has lost touch twice here in the early going because of balls chewed up by the breeze. Lindsey Dare has made a pair of early saves.
9:59 AM
It looks like the wind will play a significant factor here this morning as it blows straight down the pitch. Minnesota will be playing into the teeth of the breeze in the opening half.
9:49 AM
Although it's still breezy here at the Iowa Soccer Complex, it looks like we may have seen the last of the rain. As the high seed, the Gophers will sport their home white uniforms with maroon numerals, while Northwestern will wear their road purple with white trim and numbers.
9:37 AM
The Gophers are going through their pregame warmup routine. The team has had a relaxed yet focused demeanor this week in practice, so it will be interesting to see the team's mindset will translate into on-field results.
Freshman forward Tamara Strahota, recently named to the Big Ten's All-Freshman team, draws her fourth consecutive start at a forward. Strahota has turned things on here in the last few weeks, scoring game-winning goals against these same Wildcats in St. Paul on Oct. 26 and netting the only goal of the game in Minnesota' 1-0 championship clincer against Iowa here last Friday.
9:29 AM
Minnesota has arrived here at the Iowa Soccer Complex amidst windy and rainy conditions. The field appears to be in great shape and the weather forecast calls for improving conditions throughout the day. The Gophers will face seventh-seeded Northwestern in the first quarterfinal at 10:00 a.m.
