University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Open Big Ten Play with No. 25 Ohio State
9/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 13, 2011
The University of Minnesota women's soccer team will play its first Big Ten Conference match of the season Sunday afternoon at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The Golden Gophers (3-5-0) host N0. 25 Ohio State University (5-3-0), with kickoff set for 1:05 p.m. due to the game being broadcasted live by the Big Ten Network. Both programs enter the contest looking to start the Big Ten season off on the right foot by garnering their first conference victory.
This weekend will be the Gophers' first with only one match while Sunday will be the Buckeyes' third game in a seven-day span.
Last Time Out
Minnesota fell 2-1 in overtime to DePaul after leading for most of the match. Josie Solie headed in a Nicole Baier corner kick in the 38th minute to give the Gophers the lead into halftime. In the 84th minute, the Blue Devils were able to get on the board and force overtime. DePaul would then score the game-winning goal at the 100 minute mark to defeat the Gophers.
Scouting Ohio State
Ohio State, who has an overall 2011 record of 5-3, is coming off a banner year where they were co-Big Ten Champions and reached the NCAA College Cup. The Buckeyes are ranked 25th in the nation and return seven players from last year's squad that went 17-5-2.
OSU has a surplus of players that are dangerous on the offensive side of the pitch, but statistically, they are led by freshman Kiiri Kuld, who has six points on the season (two goals, two assists). The Buckeyes are anchored defensively by 2010 NSCAA First Team All-American Cassie Dickerson. The senior captain was also tagged as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. In goal for Ohio State is senior Katie Baumgardner, who ranks third in the Big Ten with a 0.70 goals allowed average and has been a part of four Buckeye shutouts this season.
Ohio State was shutout by in-state rival No. 24 Dayton 1-0 on Wednesday night.
The Last Meeting
Overtime was needed last season when the two foes met one another in Columbus, Ohio. After a scoreless first half, the Gophers snagged the lead in the 57th minute with a Tam Strahota goal, but the Buckeyes would equalize in the 82nd thanks to Paige Maxwell. In overtime, it would only take Ohio State 43 seconds to record the game winner when Lauren Granberg slipped a ball by Cat Parkhill.
The Series
The Golden Gophers are 9-10-1 all-time versus Ohio State. Seven of the 20 matches between these two Big Ten rivals have gone into extra time. The Maroon and Gold's last win over the Buckeyes was a 2-0 victory in Columbus, Ohio on October 19, 2008. Minnesota was ranked No. 23 in the nation during that match.
'Rock the Robbie'
The match on Sunday is the Gophers' annual "Rock the Robbie", which entitles all fans to FREE admission.
Big Ten Openers
The Golden Gophers are 7-8-2 all-time in Big Ten openers and 2-4-1 under Denney Wright.
Playing on the Network
Since 2007, Minnesota is 5-2-3 when their matches are broadcasted on the Big Ten Network.
Too Close For Comfort
Seven of the Gophers' eight games have been decided by a one goal differential. Minnesota's average goal differential of +.25 is the Gophers' lowest for the first eight games since 2005 (+.25).
Freshman Phenom
Freshman Taylor Uhl's 11 points that she has tallied in her first eight matches are the most for a Minnesota first-year player since Alison Rackley notched 13 points in her first eight games as a freshman in 1998.
Uhl's 11 points rank her second among all Big Ten freshman in scoring behind Iowa's Cloe Lacasse who has 21 points.
Super Seniors
The senior class of Katie Roberts-Carlson, Shari Eckstrom and Josie Solie are 11 wins away from being the winningest class in Minnesota's 19-year program history.
Next Up
Minnesota starts its first conference road trip of the season as it travels to face Michigan on September 23 and Michigan State on September 25.
Follow the Action
Sunday afternoon's match versus Ohio State will be broadcasted live on the Big Ten Network. The game can also be followed by going to GopherSports.com and checking out the GameTracker link on the schedule page for live stats/updates.
Facebook/Twitter
For the latest and most updated information on Minnesota soccer, check out the team on Facebook (Golden Gopher Soccer) and Twitter (@GopherSoccer).
Get Score Updates on Your Phone
Fans can get scoring updates from all Golden Gopher athletics through the Twitter account @GopherScores. Just find and follow @GopherScores, then set up your phone or mobile device to receive text updates.
