University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
10-3-3, 6-2-1B1G
Illinois
5-12-0, 2-7-0B1G
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Illinois | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Gophers Explode in Second Half to beat Illini 4-0
10/15/2017 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
First-Place Showdown Against Ohio State Friday
Another second half surge helped the University of Minnesota soccer team defeat Illinois 4-0 in Champaign, Illinois. The Gophers got a pair of goals from April Bockin and one each from Emily Heslin and Sydney Squires to earn the victory.
"The conditions today made the game pretty tough, 20 mph winds make it tough," head coach Stefanie Golan said. "Being able to score early in the game helped us because we know Illinois has given some teams some trouble this season, so to be able to come out on top 4-0 is a good feeling."
In the 18th minute, Bockin put the game-winning goal past the Illinois keeper with a laser from the right side of the box.
April Bockin might lead the NCAA in assists, but she can strike the ball just as good! #Gophers lead! pic.twitter.com/UJ3v8kQugQ
-- Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) October 15, 2017
Bockin's goal is her third of the season, with the assist going to Molly Fiedler, her sixth of the season.
"April always draws a lot of attention, but Sydney also draws a lot of attention too, so having that allows April to put a little bit more on frame," Golan said. "She's been an asset all season and we are happy she was able to get two today."
The Gophers kept putting pressure on in the second half, and Heslin was able to create some breathing room in the 78th minute. On a free kick from about 30-yards out, Heslin put a bending free kick past the outstretched Illini keeper for her third goal of the season.
That bend though! Emily Heslin puts the #Gophers up 2-0 late in the game! pic.twitter.com/bTliyC02kb
-- Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) October 15, 2017
Just nine minutes later, Sydney Squires added to her Big Ten lead in goals with her 14th of the season. Her goal came after Molly Fiedler won a ball in the air with her head and sent it to Bockin who headed another pass to Squires who finished the third goal of the game for Minnesota.
Fiedler's seventh assist of the season ties her career-high in a single season with her 2016 campaign.
Squires 14 goals this season puts her in a tie for eighth place in single-season goals along with Jennifer Walek (1994) and Jennier McElmury (1996).
Another worldly goal from Squires! What. A. Finish. Assist to Bockin as well! pic.twitter.com/dSd2WV1D3Y
-- Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) October 15, 2017
Bockin's 12 assists this season put her at a tie for third most in a single season with Laurie Seidl (1999), and is just one behind the second most in a single season.
Bockin put one more past the Illini with a penalty kick just moments later to put the Gophers up 4-0 in the game. The penalty kick came after a handball in the box was after Bockin beat the keeper and had a free look at the net.
Overall, Minnesota led in shots 16-7, and shots on goal 6-1. The Gophers defense held the Illini to just two shots in the second half and were able to put up 12 of their own. The Gophers shutout is their second of the Big Ten season, and sixth of the season.
Each team was given two yellow cards in the game, with Illinois having 15 fouls overall to the Gophers seven.
This season the Gophers have scored 25 goals in the second half to just 13 in the first half. The three goals in the second half all came within 12 minutes of one another.
Minnesota next will face Ohio State in a huge matchup in regards of Big Ten standings. The game is set for Friday Oct. 20 at 6:00 p.m. at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The first 200 students at the Ohio State game will receive a free one of a kind Minnesota soccer scarf.
Team Stats
Bockin, April (3)
Assisted By: Fiedler, Molly
GOAL by MINN Bockin, April (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Fiedler, Molly, goal number 3 for season.
17:09
Heslin, Emily (3)
Free kick
77:50
Squires, Sydney (13)
Assisted By: Bockin, April , Fiedler, Molly
GOAL by MINN Squires, Sydney, Assist by Bockin, April and Fiedler, Molly, goal number 13 for season.
86:22
Bockin, April (4)
MINN Bockin, April PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 4 for season.
86:43
