University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
3-1-2
Providence
1-4
Soccer Wins on Gaffney's Golden Goal
9/3/2017 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Tickets: Gopher Host Utah State on Friday Night
The University of Minnesota fought their way to a home victory over the visiting Providence Friars 1-0 at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium with senior Maddie Gaffney netting the golden goal with 26 seconds left in double overtime.
It took nearly every possible second for the Gophers to obtain the victory, with Gaffney's shot coming after a free kick taken by April Bockin was saved and deflected to the waiting Gaffney. The win is the first overtime victory for the Minnesota Golden Gophers since September 4, 2015 against Marquette.
"Overtime is tough. Hopefully this one goes a long way to showing our kids that it really isn't over until it is over. All it takes is that one extra effort," said head coach Stefanie Golan. "In the end, we found a way. That is what is important this time of year."
Gaffney's game winning goal against Providence in double OT! pic.twitter.com/asyU27u0tN
-- Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) September 3, 2017
Game winning goal for @GopherSoccer with 20 seconds left in the second OT was Sr Maddie Gaffney! pic.twitter.com/FBInl2IBKM
-- Andy Kaasa (@andy_kaasa) September 3, 2017
Minnesota outshot Providence 22-5 in the contest, including nine shots on goal to the Friars one. Minnesota held Providence to zero corner kicks, while the Gophers earned 11.
Freshman keeper Maddie Nielsen made just one save during the game, with the defense holding a firm back line throughout the entire game.
"It is fantastic that Maddie [Nielsen] has stepped in and has played as big of a role as she has. She is making the saves that we need her to," explained Golan.
Bockin led the Gophers with six shots in the game, two of them on goal and numerous shots just barely missing. Bockin's aggressiveness eventually payed off the Gophers. The Gophers have now played in three overtime games this season, more than any other team in the Big Ten.
After the first 45 minutes, the Gophers were dominant on the offensive end. They outshot the Friars 18-3, including zero shots in the entire second half.
Here is a look at Gernes' opportunity a few minutes ago. Still knotted 0-0. pic.twitter.com/ZwHKgNzkOI
-- Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) September 3, 2017
"We talk about a lot that you can bend but don't break, and we did some bending today. There were moments where someone's legs weren't all the way there, but there was someone else right there to pick them up," Golan said. "I thought the bench brought great energy today, players who had opportunities today stepped up and gave us some good things in those moments."
Minnesota will be back in action this Friday with Utah State coming to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The September 8 game will kick off at 7:00 p.m. and will be the final game of the Gophers three-game home stand.
Team Stats
Gaffney, Maddie
Assisted By: Bockin, April
game-winner from Gaffney ends the game
109:34
