University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Illinois
Wodnick Scores Golden Goal in 2OT
10/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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Oct. 12, 2014
BOX SCORE (PDF): Minnesota 2, Illinois 1 
RECORDS: University of Minnesota (8-6-1, Big Ten Conference 5-3-1); University of Illinois (9-5-0, Big Ten Conference 4-4-0)
Senior Taylor Wodnick played hero for the University of Minnesota women's soccer team who defeated the University of Illinois in their fifth overtime appearace of the season. The Gophers, who played their fourth Big Ten Conference game in 10 days compared to the two played by Illinois, improved their overall record to 8-6-1 and 5-3-1 mark in conference play.
The evenly matched and aggressive game between the two teams began with eighteen minutes of no shots as both defenses stepped up in order to try to give their teams a chance to pull ahead. Minnesota's first shot was in the 22nd minute of play, as senior Becca Roberts fired a free kick from 20 yards out at the Illinois goalkeeper. The Gophers first two shots, both on target, were registered by defenders.
At the half, the score was knotted at 0 as the Gophers led the charge with seven shots, two on goal. In the 51st minute of play, sophomore Josee Stiever put the Gophers on the board with a half-volley off of service from senior Katie Thyken. The goal marks Josee Stiever's fourth of the season and her second consecutive game with a goal.
The Gophers would hold the 1-0 lead until the 88th minute of play when a foul was called on the Maroon and Gold for a hand ball in the box. The penalty kick, the first Hobbs faced this season and the second of her career with Minnesota, was taken by reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and the conference's leading scorer, Janelle Flaws. Flaws was able to find the back of the net and tie the game with under three minutes to play in regulation.
In the first overtime period, the Illini recorded two shots but neither were on target as the game moved into the second ten minute overtime appearance.
The second overtime period would be Wodnick's shining moment as she was able to finish a ball from Kolander in the first twenty seconds of play. The golden goal was her second of the season ending the game in victory for the Gophers.
In the 100 minutes of play, the Gophers trailed in shots 16-11 while earning five corner kicks. Hobbs recorded 6 saves to bring her season total to 63.
The overtime victory lifts the Gophers to 3-1-1 in overtime appearances this season.
Minnesota will host border rival Wisconsin in a Homecoming match up at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
GOPHER STAND OUT PERFORMANCES
Josee Stiever, who has now scored in two consecutive games, is one of three Gophers to tally four goals on the season. She also has three assists for a total of 11 points on the season.
Senior Katie Thyken, who lead the team last year in goals and assists, tallied her first point of the 2014 season in Sunday's match up.
The golden goal from Taylor Wodnick marked her second of the season. She also has one assist for a total of five points on the season. She made her second start in place of Rachel McCloskey.
Sophomore Simone Kolander broke into Minnesota's season record book after notching her ninth assist of the season. She now sits in the top ten for assists in a season. This is her second consectuive game with an assist after tallying two in the Gophers win over Nebraska. She now has 18 points this season.
NOTES
Ashley Pafko and Julianna Gernes were both awarded yellow cards in today's contest.
WHAT IS NEXT:
Minnesota will play host to Wisconsin in a border battle on Oct. 18 at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening following the Golden Gopher Football Homecoming game. Fans who bring their football ticket stubs will be granted free admission to Saturday's game.
FOLLOW:
@GopherSoccer on Twitter (#GiveEverything) + Golden Gopher Soccer on Facebook
