University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Michigan State
Stiever Leads Gophers to OT Victory
9/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
BOX SCORE (PDF): Minnesota 1, Michigan State 0 
RECORDS: University of Minnesota (4-4-0, Big Ten Conference 1-1-0); Michigan State University (6-2-0, Big Ten Conference 0-2-0)
East Lansing, Mich. -- Sophomore midfielder Josee Stiever led the University of Minnesota women's soccer team to a 1-0 overtime victory over the Michigan State University Spartans on Sunday afternoon. The Gophers earned their first conference win and fourth shutout of the season when they improved to 4-4-0 overall and 1-1-0 in conference play.
Both teams entered the match eyeing their first conference win after both falling to Big Ten opponents in overtime on Friday evening. The Gophers lost to Michigan 2-1 in the 94th minute while Michigan State was unable to top the No. 9 ranked Wisconsin Badgers.
The first half saw seven shots from the Maroon and Gold with three on target. Minnesota's first scoring opportunity came in the 14th minute as Simone Kolander got her head on a corner kick by Haley Helverson. Stiever and junior Jen Larrick were the other two Gophers to tally shots on goal during the first half of play. The Gophers would head into halftime with a 7-4 lead in shots.
Minnesota controlled the ball in the second half as they held Michigan State for 20 minutes without a shot. In the 65th minute, Minnesota was called for a foul outside of the box on the near right side that earned the Spartans two opportunities. The first shot was blocked and the second was saved by sophomore goalkeeper Tarah Hobbs.
At the conclusion of regulation, the score was knotted at zero and both teams found themselves headed for their second overtime appearance of the weekend. In the 93rd minute, the Gophers earned a corner kick from the far left corner. Stiever found the back of the net off of service from sophomore Ashley Pafko, who is credited for the assist.
The Gophers, who are 2-3-0 on the road, led the Spartans in shots (17-6).
The Maroon and Gold will return home for a one game homestand at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. Minnesota will host Big Ten foe, Iowa, while celebrating the senior class including Katie Thyken, Becca Roberts, Olivia Schultz and Taylor Wodnick.
GOPHER STAND OUT PERFORMANCES
Josee Stiever earns her second goal of the season and led the Maroon and Gold to the overtime win over Michigan State in the 93rd minute of play. The goal marks her second of the season and paired with the two assists from earlier this season give her six points on the season. Stiever had three shots in today's match including two on target for the Gophers. Stiever has started each of the Gophers eight games this season and has a total of ten shots on the season.
Sophomore Ashley Pafko adds another point with her assist on the golden goal. Pafko now has one goal (the lone goal of the Florida State match for the Maroon and Gold) and two assists for a total of four points.
Sophomore Simone Kolander tallied four of the Gophers 17 shots while freshman Rachel McCloskey and redshirt junior Taylor Stainbrook each added two to Minnesota's total.
Minnesota goalkeeper Tarah Hobbs tallied five saves on the afternoon's match for a grand total of 36 on the season. She helped the Gophers earn their first conference shutout this season. The Maroon and Gold have four shutouts on the season.
UP NEXT
Minnesota will honor the senior class during its lone home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. The Maroon and Gold will host Big Ten foe Iowa at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. Tickets from Saturday's football game against San Jose State University will grant fans admission into Saturday evening's match.
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