University of Minnesota Athletics
Soccer Hosts Tennessee & North Dakota State
9/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
#19 Minnesota vs. Tennessee & North Dakota State
Home Sweet Home
The 19th ranked Golden Gophers get to return home this weekend as they host a pair of matches on Sept. 4 and Sept. 6. First up is the reigning SEC champion Tennessee Volunteers on Friday, followed by Summit League foe, the North Dakota State Bison on Sunday.
Bonus Soccer
Fans will be treated to a little bonus soccer action on Sunday Sept. 6. Prior to the Golden Gophers 2:00 p.m. match with North Dakota State. Tennessee will take on Wisconsin at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium at 11:30 a.m.
The Records
Tennessee enters the week with a 1-2-0 record on the young season, having dropped their last two matches. North Dakota State, meanwhile is heading the other way, winning twice after opening the season with a loss and a tie respectively.
The Series
Minnesota and Tennessee have met just once previously, in Knoxville, Tenn. in 2007 with the Volunteers earning the victory. North Dakota State and Minnesota will meet for the second straight year and the fourth time overall, with the Golden Gophers a perfect 3-0 in the three previous matches.
Last Match-Up
The last time Minnesota played Tennessee was also the only time. In Knoxville, Tenn. on 9/2/07, the host Volunteers walked away with the 1-0 win. When Minnesota and North Dakota State last met on 8/31/08, the Golden Gophers had their best showing in the series, winning 3-0.
Watch Live
If you cannot make it to the stadium on Sunday, the Golden Gophers and Bison will be broadcast live in the Gold Zone. To access the video feed, visit GopherSports.com.
Last Time Out
Last weekend the Golden Gophers hit the road for the first time, taking on Georgia and Kennesaw State. Against Georgia on 8/28, Minnesota fell by the 0-2 score, but rebounded to top Kennesaw State 1-0 on 8/30.
Next Up
After this weekend, the Golden Gophers are traveling again, heading to Milwaukee, Wis. for a two-match road swing. On Sept. 11 they will be taking on UW-Milwaukee and on Sept. 13 the square off with Marquette. Neither opponent is ranked currently, but each is receiving votes in the NSCAA Top-25 Poll.
2:00 p.m.
Fans remember that the Golden Gophers and Bison on Sept. 6 will start at 2:00 pm, and hour later than normal. The late start is due to Tennessee and Wisconsin playing at 11:30 a.m.
19th in the Nation
After a 1-1 week, the Golden Gophers took a hit in the national polls. They began the week ranked #17 in the NSCAA Top-25 Poll, but Minnesota fell to #19 in the latest poll released Sept. 1.
Record in the Polls
The Golden Gophers have been ranked in each of the three NSCAA Top-25 polls so far this season. It marks only the second time such a feat has been accomplished by Minnesota Soccer. The first was the 1995 season when the Golden Gophers went wire-to-wire in the Top-25. In 1997, they were ranked in the first two polls before falling out in the third week. They would eventually return, finishing the season ranked at #11.
7th in the Region
The Golden Gophers are in the NSCAA Great Lakes Regional Poll for the second straight week, this time landing at #7. After their season opener the Golden Gophers appeared in the first poll at #4.
National Recognition
After gaining mention in all of the major polls last week, the Golden Gophers have fallen out of the Soccer America and Soccer Times Top-25 polls. Minnesota is still, however, receiving 28 points in the Soccer Times poll.
Ranked Opponents
Georgia was the first ranked opponent for the Golden Gophers this season, leaving them with an 0-1 mark against ranked teams. Under Mikki Denney Wright the Golden Gophers are 2-12-0 against ranked opponents.
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In the Tournament
In Tennessee, the Golden Gophers will be taking on their third opponent (in four matches) that was in the NCAA Tournament in 2008. After a win over South Dakota State and a loss to Georgia, Minnesota is 1-1 this season against 2008 NCAA Tournament teams. This season's opponents who played in the NCAA tourney last season include South Dakota State, Georgia, Tennessee, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette, Illinois, Penn State, and Michigan State.
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Non-Conference Winning Streak
The Golden Gophers saw their non-conference winning streak come to and end at the hands of Georgia on 8/28. After the win over South Dakota State, Minnesota had won 12 consecutive regular season non-conference matches, stretching from 9/23/07 to 8/21/09. When including a tie on 9/21/07, the Golden Gophers had an unbeaten streak of 13 matches which began on 9/16/07.
Five Straight in the Regular Season
The loss to Georgia also broke a streak of five consecutive wins in the regular season, which dated back to a 10/19/08 win over Ohio State. With the win over Kennesaw State, the Golden Gophers have already begun their next streak.
Shot Assault
The Golden Gophers fired off 24 shots against Kennesaw State, the most since another 24 shot performance last Sept. 19. With six shots individually, Katie Bethke holds the second best mark in the Big Ten early in the season.
Shot Stoppers
Stopping shots before they even start. The Golden Gophers hold the top two marks for opponent shots this season. The two they allowed against South Dakota State is the best mark this season, while the three they allowed against Kennesaw State is tied with six others as the second best mark.
Tough To Beat At the Robbie
Minnesota has won 13 straight home matches, dating back to last season and their 12-0-0 mark at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The win over South Dakota State extended their record streak, with Minnesota looking to add to it this weekend.
That is Not Allowed
The Golden Gophers have allowed just two goals this season, which is tied with Illinois and Ohio State as the third best mark in the Big Ten. Indiana and Michigan State have yet to allow a goal, leaving them tied for the Big Ten lead.
Takin' Attendance
After the second weekend of play, everyone in the Big Ten has played a match at home, and with 987 Golden Gopher faithful at the home opener on 8/21, Minnesota boasts the second best mark in the conference. Through three matches Penn State has averaged 1,751 fans, to take the top spot.
Single Dollar Soccer
Both of the Golden Gophers' matches this weekend will be just $1.00. Only $1.00 on Friday against Tennessee, and only $1.00 on Sunday against North Dakota State. It is a fantastic deal, to watch some fantastic soccer.
Get Score Updates on Your Phone
Fans can get scoring updates from all of Golden Gopher athletics through the Twitter page @GopherScores. Just find and follow @GopherScores, then set up your phone or mobile device to receive the text updates. If you are not already on Twitter, you will need to create an account.
Facebook/Twitter
Follow the Golden Gophers on Facebook and Twitter. On Facebook search "Golden Gopher Soccer" and on Twitter search @gophersoccer.
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