University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Nebraska
Minnesota Drops to Nebraska, 4-1
11/7/2013 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Nov. 7, 2013
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BOX SCORE (PDF):
Big Ten Quarterfinals 
RECORDS: University of Minnesota (11-7-2, 4-5-2 Big Ten); Nebraska (16-3-1, 10-1 Big Ten)
The University of Minnesota Golden Gopher soccer team lost a tough match with the No. 1 seed Nebraska on Wednesday evening in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
The Gophers were able to score in the first 39 seconds of the match, as freshman forward Simone Kolander found the net for the second time this season. After grabbing the ball from a pair of Nebraska defenders, Kolander beat the keeper and put the ball right into the back of the net.
But Nebraska was quick to answer. A pair of goals from Mayme Conroy as well as one a peice from Jordan Jackson and Stacy Bartels was enough to put the Gophers back by three and utimately out of the Big Ten Tournament.
While the score made the game seem as if the play was one-sided, the stats read otherwise as the Gophers were able to stay competitive throughout the game. The Gophers created 15 scoring opportunties but were unable to capitalize and that is where Nebraska pulled ahead.
The Gophers were without leading scorer, Katie Thyken, who missed her first start of the season on Wednesday.
The Gophers, who were coming off two much-needed conference road wins against Wisconsin and Purdue, were unable to stop the Illini who were able to rise to a 3-1 victory over the Golden Gophers.
The Gophers will now have to wait out the weekend to see if they will advance to the NCAA Tournament. Currently, the Gophers sit in 25th in RPI. The selection show will air at 3:30 p.m. CT on Monday, Nov. 11.
This loss puts the Gophers at 11-7-2 on the season and 4-6-2 in Big Ten Play.
GOPHER STAND OUT PERFORMANCES
Simone Kolander had another impressive game for the Golden Gophers as she was able to score the lone goal in the first minute of play. She had three other shots in the game for the Gophers. This is her first goal since the first game of the season against Toledo on Aug. 23. Kolander also has 5 assists on the season.
Freshman goalkeeper and recently named 2013 Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, Tarah Hobbs, was able to make four saves during the match on Wednesday afternoon bringing her total to 118 on the season.
Haley Helverson had four shots during the match but was unable to find the back of the net. Lauren Bauer, Taylor Stainbrook, Steph Brandt, Erin Booth and Jen Larrick all had shots in the game as well.
QUOTE
Head coach Stefanie Golan on the outcome of the game...
This was a tough loss as I don't think the score was indicative of the game. It was a lot more even than the score line shows, but credit Nebraska for finishing opportunities. Simone played really well and a few players showed that they can contribute in the absence of Thyken which is positive moving forward. We are very hopeful that we will get an opportunity to continue forward in the NCAA Tournament and are excited to get healthy and prepare for that opportunity.
WHAT IS NEXT:
The Golden Gophers will wait to see if they will be selected for the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
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