University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Michigan
Gophers Fall in Big Ten Opener
9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
BOX SCORE (PDF): Minnesota 1, Michigan 2 
RECORDS: University of Minnesota (3-4-0, Big Ten Conference 0-1-0); University of Michigan (5-2-0, Big Ten Conference 1-0-0)
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers were defeated by the University of Michigan Wolverines in the first game of conference play. At the end of two periods, Minnesota and Michigan were knotted at 1. In overtime, Michigan scored the golden goal on a free kick from 25 yards out. With the loss, the Gophers fall to 3-4-0 on the season and 0-1-0 in conference play.
Michigan struck early as Ani Sarkisian scored her second goal of the season in the 9th minute to put the Wolverines on the board. Minnesota would trail for 64 minutes until freshman Rachel McCloskey scored off a loose ball in the box to even the score at one.
The Maroon and Gold found themselves in overtime for the second time in three games as the score was knotted at one at the end of regulation. A foul was called in the 94th minute against Minnesota resulting in a free kick from 25 yards out on the near right side. Michigan stepped up to take the kick and it landed in the far left corner leading the Wolverines to their first win of the conference season.
Minnesota trailed Michigan in shots 18-14 but both teams had six shots on target.
QUOTES
Head coach Stefanie Golan on the free kick to end the game in overtime...
"Our players were setting up to defend a free kick and the official was setting up the wall from 10 yards away. As he turned away the ball was kicked before the whistle was blown. Assuming that the ball was dead, our players were not prepared to defend the ball and in turn a goal was scored ending the game. It is difficult to deal with a loss where there was nothing we could do to change the outcome. It is unfortunate that something beyond our control decided the winner and I'm disappointed for our team who gave everything in that game."
GOPHER STAND OUT PERFORMANCES
The lone goal of the match for the Maroon and Gold was scored by freshman Rachel McCloskey who found the back of the net off a loose ball in the box. This was McCloskey's third goal of the season and it was the second game in a row where she scored the lone goal to keep Minnesota from being shut out.
Sophomore Simone Kolander and freshman Sydney Squires were awarded assists for McCloskey's goal. Kolander and Squires lead the team with four goals a piece while Kolander has 13 points on the season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Tarah Hobbs returned to the net after a one game hiatus and kept the Gophers in the game with 5 saves bringing her season total to 33.
WHAT IS NEXT:
Minnesota will continue conference play when they travel to East Lansing on Sunday afternoon to take on the Michigan State Spartans who were defeated for the first time this season by No. 6 Wisconsin earlier this evening. The game kicks off at noon ET and will be broadcast on BTN +.
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