University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota To Host Kansas State in Exhibition Play
8/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
| Minnesota vs Kansas State (Exhibition) | |
| Date/Time | Friday, August 11 | 7:00 p.m. CT |
| Location | Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium |
| Tickets | Free Admission Flex Pack - Available for Regular Season |
| Live Stats | |
| Live Updates | Game Day Live |
| Social Media | @GopherSoccer | Facebook | Instagram |
Fresh off their 1-0 exhibition victory over Creighton, the University of Minnesota women's soccer team will be taking on Kansas State this Friday in the last preseason game of the 2017 preseason. The Gophers will play at home for the first time at 7:00 p.m. on Friday at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
In 2016, Kansas State had its inaugural season of women's soccer. The team finished with a record of 4-9-3, and did not play in the Big 12. This season, the Wildcats will join the Big 12 and will be eligible for postseason play. Top scorers Tatum Wagner and Laramie Hall both return for the Wildcats after both posting three goals each in 2016. This will be the first time the Gophers and Wildcats face off on the pitch.
LAST TIME OUT - CREIGHTON
In a dominating performance, the Minnesota Golden Gophers downed the Creighton Bluejays on the road 1-0. In total, Minnesota outshot the Bluejays 23-2 in the 90-minute contest, and added nine corner kicks to Creighton's zero. The lone goal came from April Bockin in minute 64; the game-winner was an unassisted goal. Kailee Sharp started in goal for Minnesota. She saw just two shots in the game, and made one save in minute 60. The victory was the first exhibition win since 2015 when the Gophers defeated Drake 8-0.
FINAL: April Bockin's goal at 64' proves to be the difference in the #Gophers exhibition victory! #SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/5vLhMbGk3h
-- Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) August 6, 2017
25th SEASON OF MINNESOTA SOCCER
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have been officially a part of Division I soccer for 25 seasons in 2017. Minnesota has won four Big Ten regular season titles and two Big Ten Tournament titles. In total, the Gophers are 275-179-39 (.586) and 110-98-19 (.527) all-time in the Big Ten. Read all three parts of the 25 Seasons of Minnesota soccer here: Part One, Park Two and Part Three.
JUBILANT JUNIORS
This season the Gophers will return seven starters, along with 19 letterwinners. Exciting junior returners for Minnesota include captain Emily Heslin and Molly Fiedler, who is the top returning passer in 2017. Heslin received the Ironwoman Award last season by the team. She was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team and has appeared in 45 games for Minnesota. Fiedler assisted on seven goals in 2016, and has 10 total assists in 45 career games.
DOMINANT DEFENDERS
The Gophers return three starting defenders in 2017, with junior Emily Peterson getting more playing time in the lineup this year after averaging 36 minutes per game last season. Captain Tori Burnett, senior Maddie Gaffney and Big Ten All-Freshman Nikki Albrecht all come back to solidify the Gophers defense.
Today's starting XI against Creighton. The #Gophers first action is here! pic.twitter.com/YZMzYiT9Ai
-- Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) August 6, 2017
FEARLESS FRESHMAN
Seven players from four different states join the Gophers in 2017. Six of those are freshman, which includes Athena Kuehn, Mia Powers, Celina Nummerdor, Arianna Del Moral, Makenzie Langdok and Maddie Nielsen. Three of those freshmen played against Creighton, with Nummerdor leading the charge with two shots on goal in 39 minutes of action.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Last season Megan Koenig played in just 17 games, and tallied one assist. This season, Koenig proves to be one of the biggest contributors in the middle of the field for the Golden Gophers. Along with Koenig, Kellie McGahn could be another player to watch this season. In 2016, McGahn started all 23 games, and scored three goals on just seven shots on goal.
Whether it is previews, recaps or anything else Gopher Soccer related, make sure to follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so you do not miss any content in 2017!
