University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Purdue
Gophers Move Past Purdue
9/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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MINNEAPOLIS- The No. 18 University of Minnesota women's soccer team clinched their third conference win over the Purdue Boilermakers at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Friday night.
The 3-1 nightcap victory moves the Gophers to 8-1-2 and 3-0-0 in conference play.
"We are certainly happy to walk away with a 3-1 win and I felt that we were deserving of the win for sure," said head coach Stefanie Golan. "We settled in in the second half a little bit a created some really quality looks at goal and the goals that we did score weren't the prettiest, but they still count."
Five minutes into the first half, junior co-captain Simone Kolander scored her sixth goal of the season to put Minnesota ahead early. Sophomore Maddie Gaffney and junior Josee Stiever were both credited with the double-assist.
The Maroon and Gold debuted early on in the game proving themselves and their newfound NSCAA ranking as twenty minutes into play, sophomore Maddie Gaffney scored her second goal of the season off an assist from freshman Molly Fiedler, the first of her career.
Leading 2-0 at half, both Minnesota and Purdue tallied six shots with the Gophers earning three corned kicks to the Boilers' two and had five fouls to Purdue's four.
Leading 2-0 at half, both Minnesota and Purdue tallied six shots with the Gophers earning three corned kicks to the Boilers' two and had five fouls to Purdue's four.
Taking the field after half, the Boilers' turned up the heat and in the 69th minute of play, they would escape a shutout as the Gophers fouled in the box. Makaela Nellams was able to convert the penalty and netted her first goal of the season.
Not wanting to end on an opponent goal, sophomore Sydney Squires scored the game-winner for the Gophers off a corner kick assist from freshman April Bockin. The goal was Squires third of the season and Bockin's third assist.
Purdue fought back the entire game but the Gophers defense wouldn't concede.
On the night, the Boilermakers tallied 11 shots, earned four corner kicks, made six saves and notched seven fouls.
The Gophers shot 17 times, earned five corner kicks and had 11 fouls.
Kolander, Stiever and Squires all fired three shots a piece with redshirt senior Taylor Stainbrook and sophomore Rachel McCloskey each notched a pair with one on frame. Freshman Emily Heslin, Fiedler, Gaffney and Bockin also contributed to the Gophers attempts on goal.
Junior goalkeeper Tarah Hobbs made a total of five saves on the night and her record moves to 7-1-2.
"Tonight was a testament to our teams willingness to fight, grow and grind," said Golan. "This was probably one of the toughest battles that we've played this year in terms of the physical nature of the game. Tarah made a couple of key saves when we needed her to which was great but our kids battled and it goes to show that all 26 players on our roster come out to play every single day willing to put in the work and are always ready to step on the field if called upon."
"We're really excited about the win tonight and celebrate, but we'll put it behind us and come out tomorrow for practice ready to prepare for our game on Sunday against Indiana."
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