University of Minnesota Athletics
Soccer Travels to #9 Purdue
10/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Lone Ranger
The Golden Gophers play just once this week, returning to Big Ten action. On Sunday, Oct. 11, Minnesota travels to face ninth ranked Purdue in a 1:00 p.m. match-up.
The Records
Purdue enters the week with a 7-2-3 overall record and a 2-0-2 mark in the Big Ten, putting them in first place. Minnesota on the season is 9-2-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the Big Ten, leaving the Gophers in second place, just a point behind the Boilermakers.
The Series
The Gophers trail the Boilermakers 5-7-0 all-time, with the first meeting coming in 1998. The series has been written by streaks as Minnesota won the first three meetings, before Purdue ripped off all seven of their wins. Last season, the Gophers snapped the seven game losing streak, and with another win in the Big Ten Tournament have now won two straight in the series.
Last Match-Up
In the Big Ten tournament semifinals last season, the Gophers posted a 1-0 win over the Boilermakers off a goal from Claire Grimwood. It was Minnesota's second 1-0 win over Purdue last season, as earlier Tamara Strahota scored the game-winner in double overtime to hand Purdue their first Big Ten loss.
Follow Along
Fans can follow the Gophers and Boilermakers from West Lafayette through live stats, courtesy of PurdueSports.com. To access, go to the soccer page, and then the schedule.
Last Time Out
Last week the Gophers went 2-0 for the second time on the season, beating Wisconsin 2-1 and South Dakota 9-0. Katie Bethke knocked in an overtime penalty kick to top the Badgers, and then Bethke and Olivia Bagnall combined for six scores in a 9-0 over South Dakota.
Next Up
The Gophers return home next weekend for just their second and third Big Ten games this season at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. In a big weekend, Minnesota hosts Penn State on Rock the Robbie Night, Oct. 16 in a rematch of the 2008 Big Ten Co-champions, before hosting #25 Ohio State on Oct. 18.
Scouting Purdue
- Currently 7-2-3 on the season and unbeaten since 9/13
- Top ranked team in the Great Lakes Region and #9 in the nation
- Only two losses came to #3 Stanford and Santa Clara in Santa Clara, Calif.
- Opened season with five straight wins, including 3-2 over #6 Texas A&M
- Returned 10 starters from a 12-7-3, 5-3-2 team in 2008
- Big Ten leader in shots (18:75/game) and goals allowed (0.50/game)
- Second in the Big Ten in goals (1.25/game)
- Jenny Bradfish is the Big Ten leader GAA (0.45)
- Kellie Phillips is the Big Ten leader in shots (4.0/game)
- 4-0-2 at home this season, and 7-2-1 at home in 2008
- Out scoring opponents15-to-5 in the first half
- Boast three players with 10+ points and four with 4+ goals
- Home of five Big Ten weekly award winners
