University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers to Host Illini in Regular-Season Finale
10/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
| Minnesota (11-4-3, 6-3-1) vs. Illinois (9-5-3, 3-4-3) | |
| Date | Time | Wednesday, October 28 | 7 p.m. |
| Location | Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium - Directions |
| Parking | Click Here |
| Tickets | MyGopherSports.com |
| Live Video | BTN Plus |
| Live Stats | |
| Live Updates | Game Day Live |
| Social Media | @GopherSoccer | Facebook |
Oct. 27, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's soccer team will host their final home game of the regular-season at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium as they welcome the Fighting Illini for a 7:00 p.m. match-up.
The Maroon and Gold are 11-4-3 overall and 6-3-1 in Big Ten play.
At home, the Gophers are 5-1-2 with victories over North Dakota State, New Mexico, Nebraska-Omaha, Purdue and Indiana with a draw with Kansas.
LAST TIME OUT
Last Friday, the Gophers took to New Brunswick, N.J. to face the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University.
Off a corner kick by sophomore Maddie Gaffney that found the head of sophomore Tori Burnett, junior Josee Stiever used pinpoint accuracy on a volley to put the Gophers on board first.
Despite their efforts, the Maroon and Gold were unable to find the back of the net the remainder of the match, as Rutgers scored right before half and two in the second period.
THE OPPONENT
The Fighting Illini enter Wednesday's match-up with an overall record of 9-5-3 and 3-4-3 in the conference.
In last Saturday's match against the Northwestern Wildcats, the Illini fell 2-0.
Northwestern scored one in each period, first from junior Addie Steiner, who went one-on-one with the Illini keeper followed by senior Niki Sebo in the 71st minute.
The Gophers and Illini have all-time series record of 10-8-3 with Illinois ahead of the Maroon and Gold by two. The last time the two teams met was in Champaign, Ill. with Minnesota defeating the Illini, 2-1. The Gophers last hosted Illinois in the 2013 season which resulted in a 3-1 loss.
BIG TEN STANDINGS
Minnesota currently has 19 points in conference play and are tied with Northwestern at fifth.
The Wisconsin Badgers and Penn State Nittany Lions will be two of the hosts for the Big Ten championship quarterfinal match on Sunday, Nov. 1. Wednesday's results will determine the final two host sites with Minnesota still in contention.
Wisconsin - Conference: 8-1-1. Total conf. points: 25
Penn State - Conference: 7-2-1. Total conf. points: 22
Rutgers - Conference: 6-2-2. Total conf. points: 20
Michigan - Conference: 6-2-2. Total conf. points: 20
Northwestern - Conference: 6-3-1. Total conf. points: 19
Minnesota - Conference: 6-3-1. Total conf. points: 19
Ohio State - Conference: 4-4-2. Total conf. points: 14
Michigan State - Conference: 4-4-2. Total conf. points: 14
Illinois - Conference: 3-4-3. Total conf. points: 12
Junior co-captain Simone Kolander remains at the top of the conference with six game-winning goals and ten on the season. With those stats, she currently sits at No. 4 and No. 48 spot in the nation.
The Gophers are third in the conference with most goals with 31, second only to Penn State with 35 goals and Michigan with 34.
Minnesota also holds the third spot in points with a total of 88. Penn State leads with 103 followed by Michigan with 99.
WEDNESDAY'S PROMOTIONS
Fans are encouraged to come in costume to celebrate Halloween with the Gophers. At halftime, there will be a costume contest with the winner receiving a Gopher soccer prize pack complete with a team-autographed scarf.
Fans can enjoy free hot chocolate (while supplies last) as they enter the stadium - pick-up will be between the smoothies and program stands.
Long sleeve Gopher soccer shirts will be handed out to the first 100 students at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
Come trick-or-treating at ELR! Student-athletes from other various Gopher varsity sports will be passing out candy to kids.
LOOKING AHEAD
Upon qualification, the Gophers could head to the Big Ten championships. The quarterfinal round will feature four games on Sunday, Nov. 1. The semifinal round will be played on Friday, Nov. 6 with the championship set for Sunday, Nov. 8.
FOLLOW THE GOPHERS
Are you following the Gophers on the road or from home? Make sure to follow @GopherSoccer on Twitter and use the team's new hashtag #Unbreakable. You can also check for updates on Facebook and Instagram by "liking" Golden Gopher Soccer on Facebook or following the Gophers on Instagram.
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