University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Purdue
Kolander Lifts the Gophers Over Purdue
9/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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BOX SCORE (PDF): Minnesota 1, Purdue 0 
RECORDS: University of Minnesota (5-5-0, Big Ten Conference 2-2-0); Purdue University (6-4-1, Big Ten Conference 2-3-0)
West Layafette, Ind. -- Sophomore Simone Kolander scored her fifth goal of the season to lift the University of Minnesota women's soccer team over Purdue University on Friday evening at the Boilermaker Soccer Complex. Minnesota earned its 5th shutout of the season and second in conference play en route to their second conference win. The Gophers are 5-5-0 overall and 2-2-0 in conference play.
In the first half, the Gophers earned three corner kicks and produced four major scoring opportunties. In the 25th minute of play, sophomore Ashley Pafko lunged to half-volley the ball from outside of the box in an effort to put the Maroon and Gold on the board. The Purdue goalkeeper was able to get her hand on the ball and push it toward the crossbar to defuse the scoring opportunity for the Maroon and Gold. That was lone shot on goal of the first half for Minnesota.
Sophomore Simone Kolander, Haley Helverson and Josee Stiever each contributed shots to give Minnesota a 4-2 lead going into halftime.
Kolander scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute of play. Kolander combined with sophomore Josee Stiever around a Purdue defender at the top of the 18. Stiever then dribbled endline and served the ball to Kolander who nodded it home to lift the Gophers over the Boilermakers with 16 minutes left to play in regulation.
Minnesota held the Boilermakers in the final minutes in order to secure their fifth shutout of the season. Each Gopher victory this season has resulted in a shutout for the Maroon and Gold.
The Gophers will continue Big Ten play when they square off with Indiana on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. CT in Bloomington, Ind.
GOPHER STAND OUT PERFORMANCES
Simone Kolander leads the Gophers in both points, goals and assists this season while sophomore Josee Stiever has two goals and two assists. Both sophomores have made a huge impact for the Maroon and Gold this season.
Minnesota goalkeeper Tarah Hobbs now has 40 saves on the season.
UP NEXT
The Gophers will return to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium next weekend after spending a month on the road. Minnesota will host Big Ten Conference front runner Penn State on Friday evening before squaring up with the Buckeyes from Ohio State University on Sunday afternoon. The matches will begin at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively. To buy single game tickets, please visit mygophersports.com or call 1-800-U-Gopher.
FOLLOW
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