University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Embarks on First Big Ten Road Match
9/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 21, 2011
The University of Minnesota embarks on its first Big Ten road trip as it heads to face Michigan and Michigan State. First up for the Golden Gophers is a Friday night matchup with U-M. The Maroon and Gold (3-5-1 overall, 0-0-1 Big Ten) are still looking to garner their first Big Ten victory of the season after they recorded a draw with Ohio State this past Sunday.
Last Time Out
The Gophers are coming off a 1-1 draw with Ohio State in its 2011 Big Ten opener. Senior Shari Eckstrom gave the Maroon and Gold a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute when she netted a goal from 25 yards out. Minnesota would carry the lead into halftime, but OSU evened the score in the 53rd minute of play by scoring on a shot similar to Eckstrom's. The match would head into double overtime, but neither team could tally a Golden Goal during the pair of overtimes.
Scouting Michigan
The Wolverines (6-2-1 overall, 1-0-0 Big Ten) is coming off a 2010 season where they reached the NCAA Tournament, but fell in the opening round to Oklahoma State, 2-1. Currently, they sit atop the Big Ten after defeating Indiana University 1-0 on the road to open conference play.
U-M is led offensively by forwards Nkem Ezurike, who has 11 points (three goals, five assist), and Clare Stachel, who has 10 points (four goals, two assists). Ezurike is currently tied for fourth in the Big Ten with five assists.
Defensively, Michigan is anchored by goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer. The redshirt junior is the defending Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after saving seven shots in a shutout victory over the Hoosiers last weekend. She currently leads the conference in saves (53), save percentage (0.883) and shutouts (4).
The Match
The Gophers face off with the Wolverines Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich. First touch at U-M Soccer Stadium is scheduled to for 6 p.m. (CST).
The Series
Minnesota holds the advantage in the all-time series with Michigan 10-6-2. In the last eight seasons, the two foes haven't had a match decided by more than one goal or a draw. The last time a team claimed a decisive victory was in 2002 when the Maroon and Gold trumped U-M at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, 4-0.
The Golden Gophers have not defeated the Wolverines since September 28, 2008 when they pulled out a 1-0 win in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Looking Back at 2010 Matchup
Last season, Michigan escaped ELR Stadium with a 1-0 victory when Ezurike tallied the game-winning goal with only 27 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
Topping the Big Ten
Since 2008, the Gophers are the winningest program in the Big Ten with an overall record of 51-20-7 (.699). The Maroon and Gold are followed by Penn State 47-19-11 (.681), Michigan State 42-19-11 (.660), and Ohio State 44-22-7 (.651).
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 Time Out
Minnesota closes out its weekend road trip first Big Ten road trip by facing Michigan State (8-1-0 overall, 1-0-0 Big Ten) Sunday afternoon in East Lansing, Mich.
Follow the Action
Friday's game can 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.
