University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Penn State
Minnesota Sweeps Big Ten Opening Weekend
9/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The University of Minnesota women's soccer team swept their first weekend of Big Ten play as the Gophers defeated the No. 4-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
With the win, Minnesota's record moves to 7-1-2 and 2-0-0 in Big Ten play.
"We definitely had some momentum going into today from Thursday's win and we were ready to accept the challenges we were going to face with Penn State being so highly ranked," said head coach Stefanie Golan. "I am incredibly proud of the team because not only did they play their hardest the full 90-minutes, they competed and were determined to win. We created some really good opportunities and credit to our defense that stayed strong the entire time."
The lone and game-winning goal was provided by junior co-captain Simone Kolander in the 31st minute of play off a double assist from senior co-captain Haley Helverson and sophomore Sydney Squires.
Kolander notched back-to-back goals in the opening weekend of conference play, as she also supplied the game-winner in the 2-1 victory over Ohio State on Thursday.
"Going into this weekend, we really worked on our attacking part of the field and our defending has obviously been really solid," said Kolander. "Last week with that game against Omaha where we scored nine goals, I think that really was the best thing for us because we learned to open up more and attack relentlessly. We weren't nervous, we weren't afraid to fail or take risks and that all payed off."
Heading into the locker room, Minnesota would tally seven shots within the first half, along with three corner kicks and two fouls. Penn State notched four shots, three saves and two fouls.
Along with her goal, Kolander had three shots along with redshirt senior Taylor Stainbrook. Squires tallied two shots, with one on frame, to go along with her assist. Freshman April Bockin also had two shots on the night.
The Nittany Lions played an incredibly physical game throughout all of regulation and fought relentlessly on both sides of the ball to put some points on the board, but were unable to succeed in their efforts.
In the second half, the Gophers notched five shots, three corner kicks and tallied seven fouls. The Nittany Lions had six shots, earned five corner kick opportunities and had one foul.
"Our back line played awesome today," said Kolander. "They were dealing with some really tough Penn State attackers and we were able to shut them down. Tarah [Hobbs] was a big part of that as well. She really came up clutch with some big saves, but I think our defense really started from up top and we pressed as a unit the whole time. Especially as the game was winding down, when the score was still 1-0 and there was only those ten minutes left, everyone was defending. It was a total team effort."
Junior goalkeeper Tarah Hobbs was called upon three times to make key saves for the Gophers moving her record in goal to 6-1-2.
"It is such an awesome feeling to be able to sweep both Ohio State and Penn State, but that also puts a target on our back going into the rest of the season because teams are going to start to take us seriously and they're going to be prepared for us. We're just going to have to come and play how we did this weekend from here on out because it's only going to get harder from here."
"This win is definitely something that we should be proud of and excited about, but we have a long Big Ten season ahead of us," said Golan. "We can't forget about how we entered the challenge today with an underdog mentality, because that gave us the fight and drive we needed to succeed. That will be the key piece from here on out."
LOOKING AHEAD
Next weekend, Minnesota will host Purdue on Friday. Sept. 25 for a 7:00 p.m. match and Indiana Hoosiers for a 1:00 p.m. game on Sunday, Sept. 27.
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.
