University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Soccer Season Wrap-up
12/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
2009 Comes To a Close
The final game of the 2009 season for Golden Gopher Soccer came on Nov. 4, but the season was effectivley ended on Nov. 9 when the NCAA Tournament Field was announced, and Minnesota was left out. The Gophers closed the season with two straight wins, but were unable to join Champion Penn State and three other Big Ten teams in the national tournament.
The Record
The Gophers finished the regular season with a 12-5-3 overall record, and finished tied for fourth with a 5-3-2 mark in Big Ten Play. At home, at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, Minnesota was 8-2-1, while on the road the Gophers were 4-3-1.
Next Up
The Gophers return all 11 starters in 2010 while losing just two players to graduation. 16 players are slated to return next season, seven of which will be seniors.
Academic All-Big Ten Honorees
The Golden Gophers set a program record with 13 players named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team in 2009. The honorees included Katie Bethke, Sara Clancy, Jennie Clark, Shari Eckstrom, Kylie Kallman, Angie Olson, Cat Parkhill, Julie Rezac, Molly Rouse, Katie Shelander, Josie Solie, Tamara Strahota and Dana Tripp.
NSCAA Team Academic Award
The Gophers boasted a grade point average of 3.27 this season, earning them the NSCAA Team Academic Award.
Kallman Is Academic All-District
Junior Kylie Kallman was named First Team Academic All-District by ESPN the Magazine and CoSIDA on Oct. 29. Kallman was a second team honoree last season with this marking her first time on the first Team. She is also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten member.
Parkhill Named All-Rookie
Freshman goalkeeper Cat Parkhill was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com All-Rookie Team. One of three keepers from across the country on the team, Parkhill earned Honorable Mention accolades.
Farewell Seniors
The Gophers said goodbye to two seniors in 2009, as Sara Clancy and Dana Tripp played their fourth and final season. The two represent the only senior class to never have a losing season at Robbie Stadium, posting a 28-9-3 record over their careers.
All-Big Ten Honorees
Jenny Clark led the way for the Golden Gophers on the All-Big Ten team, earning First Team honors for the second straight season. Clark was a first team defender and in doing so became the Golden Gopher to do so since 1997.
Katie Bethke and Molly Rouse were each named Second Team All-Big Ten, marking the first honor each. Each among the team's and league's top scorers, Bethke was chosen as a forward, while Rouse was selected at midfield.
Cat Parkhill was named to the Freshman All-Big Ten Team as a goalkeeper. Parkhills honor makes it five straight years the Gophers had an All-Freshman Team honoree.
Finally, senior Sara Clancy was bestowed the Big Ten Sportsmanship award, one of 11 players from the league to be honored. Clancy distinguished herself through sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region
Juniors Katie Bethke and Jennie Clark were each furthered honored in the post season, earning All-Region Honors for the Great Lakes region from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Clark was named first team All-Region for the second straight season, but the first from the NSCAA. Clark led one of the top defenses in the Big Ten and the country. She and the Gopher defense pitched 10 shutouts on the season, the third best season in school history.
Bethke earns her first career All-Region after leading the team in goals and points in 2009. One of the top scorers in the country, she scored 11 goals and added seven assists for 29 points, her highest scoring season yet.
Team Awards
The Gophers handed out their annual team awards and their season-end banquet. Katie Bethke was named Offensive MVP, while Molly Rouse was Midfield MVP and Josie Solie was Defensive MVP. Other awards included the Newcomer Award won by Olivia Bagnall, the teammate Award won by Sara Clancy, the Ironwoman Award won by Kylie Kallman, Most Improved Player won by Angie Olson, and the 12th Gopher Award won by Katie Shelander.
