The University of Minnesota women's soccer team won their sixth straight match to open a season for the first time in program history and captured the Regina Moench Memorial Tournament title with a 3-0 win Sunday afternoon over Creighton at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul.
Minnesota got goals from Tamara Strahota, Lindsey Schwartz and Jennie Clark en route to the tournament crown.
Clark's goal in the 85th minute capped off an excellent performance by the sophomore from Norwalk, Iowa. Clark had worked to thwart any significant Creighton scoring chances all afternoon. Clark's play frustrated reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week Marcy Gans, who was held without a shot after entering the weekend with eight points through four games.
Clark found the back of the net after Schwartz played a ball into the goalie box that was handled first by Krystle Kallman and then by Julie Rezac. After collecting a Rezac deflection, Clark beat the Creighton keeper to help the Gophers seal a 3-0 win.
Midfielder Kelsey Hood picked up her second assist of the weekend when she sent a free kick into the box and Schwartz converted with a header in the 69th minute. After creating consistent pressure and tallying two goals on the weekend, Schwartz collected tournament offensive MVP laurels.
Tam Strahota tallied her second goal of the season when she got the scoring started for the Gophers in the 34th minute of play. Strahota beat Creighton keeper Kristen Casey off a headed pass from teammate Sara Clancy.
With the help of Clark, and the strong play of Gopher defenders Krystle Kallman, Kylie Kallman and Josie Solie, senior goalkeeper Lindsey Dare recorded her fifth shutout in six games this season. With 13 career shutouts, Dare moved into fourth place on Minnesota's all-time list and needs just one more to surpass Julie Eibensteiner (1998-2001) for third.
* * *
In the first match of the day, Northeastern defeated Ohio University by a 2-0 score on the strength of a pair of goals from junior Liza Rebello. Although Northeastern and the Gophers each finished the weekend with identical 2-0 records, Minnesota claimed the tournament title by virtue of its +5 goal differential. Northeastern had beaten Creighton by a 2-1 score in double overtime on Friday afternoon.
All-Regina Moench Memorial Tournament Team
Offensive MVP: Lindsey Schwartz (F Minnesota)
Defensive MVP: Jennie Clark (D Minnesota)
Toye Famodu (M Ohio)
Jess MacLean (GK Ohio)
Lindsay Vaught (F Creighton)
Kristen Casey (GK Creighton)
Liza Rebello (F Northeastern)
Brenna Matthews (D Northeastern)
Gabbi Jatkola (M Northeastern)
Katie Bethke (F Minnesota)
Molly Rouse (F Minnesota)
Kelsey Hood (M Minnesota)
Krystle Kallman (D Minnesota)
* * *
Minnesota's 6-0-0 start marks the first time in program history the Gophers have won their first six matches. The 1995 Minnesota team that went on to win a Big Ten championship won its first five matches, but tied their sixth contest in a 1-1 draw against George Washington.
The Gophers put their undefeated mark on the line when they travel to Reno, Nev. next weekend. Minnesota will meet Nevada on Friday evening before playing Idaho in a Sunday afternoon match.
-UM-
