University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Pick Up 200th Win in 3-0 Shutout
11/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
With a 3-0 shutout win over Indiana on Friday night in the regular-season finale, the Minnesota women's soccer team hit a significant milestone as the Gophers earned the 200th win in program history. Steph Brandt, Angie Olson and Shari Eckstrom tallied for Minnesota while Cat Parkhill picked up her sixth shutout of the season.
"Tonight was an impressive win for us across the board. I thought our team was firing on all cylinders," Minnesota head coach Mikki Denney Wright said. "With our résumé, I think we have a strong case for NCAA selection, and I know our team would be dangerous in the tournament."
Redshirt freshman forward Steph Brandt (Rochester, Minn) put Minnesota up early with her sixth goal of the season at 4:29 when she scored on Minnesota's opening shot. It was the second quickest goal by the Gophers this season behind senior forward Katie Bethke's goal off a penalty kick just 2:29 seconds into Minnesota's 2-1 win over Western Kentucky on Aug. 29. Bethke (Eau Claire, Wis.) would also factor into Brandt's goal on Friday, tallying her first of two assists in the game when she hit Brandt with a cross in the middle of the box. Bethke, who also led Minnesota with five shots in the win, finished the night with a conference-high 13 assists on the season.
Minnesota (12-5-3 overall, 4-4-2 Big Ten) added another goal at 15:21 when senior midfielder Angie Olson (Eagan, Minn.) tipped in a loose ball inside the six-yard box. Junior midfielder Shari Eckstrom (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) set up the play with a free kick following an Indiana foul and sent her attempt inside the box where junior defender Tamara Strahota (Burnsville, Minn.) redirected it to Olson for the senior's second goal of the season.
Eckstrom would add a goal of her own for the Gophers at 24:47 when the junior knocked in another cross from Bethke for her team-high seventh goal of the season.
In goal for Minnesota, sophomore goalkeeper Cat Parkhill (Apple Valley, Minn.) picked up her sixth shutout of the season and the 15th of her career behind a tough Minnesota defense that allowed just three shots in the contest and did not allow a shot on goal until the final minute of action. The Gophers finished the game outshooting Indiana 19-4.
Minnesota will now wait and see if it is selected as an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament. ESPNU will broadcast the selection show live at 3:30 p.m. CST on Monday (11/8) with the first and second rounds being played the following weekend.
