University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Host Michigan in B1G Semifinal
11/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
| 2016 Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament | |||||||||||
| Semifinal 1 | #1 Minnesota vs. #4 Michigan | ||||||||||
| Date | Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 | ||||||||||
| Location | Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium | St. Paul, Minn. | ||||||||||
| Kickoff | 2:00 p.m. CT | ||||||||||
| TV | BTN | ||||||||||
| Stream | BTN2Go | ||||||||||
| Game Links | |||||||||||
| Semifinal 2 | #3 Northwestern vs. #7 Rutgers | ||||||||||
| Date | Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 | ||||||||||
| Location | Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium | St. Paul, Minn. | ||||||||||
| Kickoff | 4:30 p.m. CT | ||||||||||
| TV | BTN | ||||||||||
| Stream | BTN2Go | ||||||||||
| Game Links | |||||||||||
| Tournament Info | Bracket | Tournament Central | ||||||||||
| Tickets | mygophersports.com (free for first 100 students) | ||||||||||
| Parking | Information | Free Shuttle | ||||||||||
| Social Media | @GopherSoccer | Facebook | Instagram | ||||||||||
No. 1 seeded Minnesota continues postseason play in the semifinals of the 2016 Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament this Friday, Nov. 4. The Gophers will face No. 4 Michigan, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. CT at the Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
The second semifinal game, featuring No. 3 Northwestern and No. 7 Rutgers, will start at 4:30 p.m. CT, or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first semifinal game. The winner of each semifinal game will face eachother in the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. CT.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
In the quarterfinals, Michigan advanced after topping Wisconsin in penalty kicks. The Wolverines are 10-4-4 on the year, and finished conference play with a 6-3-2 record. Reilly Martin leads the Wolverines in points with 22 (seven goals, eight assists). Nicky Waldeck, Ani Sarkisian and Abby Kastroll also have at least five goals on the season. During the regular season, Minnesota tied Michigan 0-0 in double overtime on the road. The Gophers have faced Michigan two times in the Big Ten Tournament (1995 quarterfinals, 2014 quarterfinals) and have advanced both times.
QUARTERFINAL RECAP
The Gophers defeated Indiana in a 3-1 decision to advance. Josee Stiever and Sydney Squires both notched a goal and an assist in the match. Julianna Gernes also scored, off Molly Fiedler's seventh assist of the season.
TOURNAMENT LOOK BACK
Minnesota has made 15 appearances in the Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament. The Gophers won the tournament title in 1995 after beating the Badgers 1-0. Last season, the Gophers fell in the quarterfinals to Rutgers in a 4-1 decision.
B1G REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS
The Gophers clinched a share of the Big Ten regular season title on Wednesday night as they wrapped the regular season with a decisive 6-0 win over Maryland and conference record of 7-1-3. It was program's fourth title and first since 2008. Minnesota shares the title with Northwestern and Penn State, who also had 7-1-3 Big Ten records.
MAROON AND GOLD RECOGNITION
Simone Kolander was named Big Ten Forward of the Year for the second-straight season, Rashida Beal was selected as the Big Ten Defender of the Year and Stefanie Golan was picked as the Big Ten Coach of the Year. Josee Stiever was named to the All-Big Ten First Team with Kolander and Beal, while Tarah Hobbs was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team and defender Maddie Gaffney was tabbed to the All-Big Ten Third Team. Nikki Albrecht was recognized on the All-Freshman Team.
WELL-ROUNDED ON THE PITCH
This season Minnesota's offense led the conference goals (42), goals/game (2.21), assists (40), assists/game (2.11), shots (345) and points (124). The Gophers' defense ranked first in the Big Ten for fewest goals allowed in conference play (3), and second lowest goals-against average (0.51) and total shutouts (9).
IN THE RANKS
Minnesota moved up to No. 8 in the latest rankings by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The Gophers were last ranked No. 11. The No. 8 ranking ties for the highest in program history, Minnesota was also ranked No. 8 during the week of Sept. 26.
