Bockin Nets Two as Gophers Defeat K-State in Exhibition Play, 3-1

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MANHATTAN, Kan. – A strong attacking offense balanced out by a controlling defense paved the way for Minnesota soccer to take down Kansas State by a score of 3-1 Wednesday evening in exhibition play. Senior April Bockin looked to be in mid-season form tallying two goals and an assist. Senior Molly Fiedler added the Gophers first assist while freshman McKenna Buisman scored Minnesota's third goal.

"Our first priority tonight was our press defensively and I thought we did that really well tonight," said Head Coach Stefanie Golan. "Our second piece with that is how good we were going to be with the ball. I thought we did well with it but we've got to be better at moving from one side to the other."

The Maroon and Gold came out controlling possession in the first half. It took the Gophers three shot attempts before Bockin connected with the back of the net in the 20th minute. Fiedler placed one perfectly atop the 18-yard box as Bockin sent one to the lower left corner.

The Gophers wore down the K-State defense leading the shot battle at the break 10-1, six of which were on goal.

After a quiet first half, goalkeeper Maddie Nielsen was tested in the opening seconds of the second half having to punch one over the cross bar. The defense bent but did not break forcing a K-State corner kicked to be cleared out moments later.

The transition led the Gophers to go coast-to-coast and score 90 seconds later in the 47th minute. Bockin found the back of the net once again after gathering a rebound to connect on the tap in.

K-State denied the Maroon and Gold of a shutout executing a corner kick to put one past Nielsen in the 53rd minute.

Both teams defense forced the offense to go stagnant for the next 18 minutes until the Gophers added an insurance goal in the 71st minute. Buisman and Bockin connected on a give-and-go that originated from a corner kick. Buisman had the final foot on it striking one from 16-yards out through traffic.

Playing together for the first time, the Gophers defense drew K-State offsides four times and allowed a mere five shots. Nielsen played between the posts for all 90 minutes collecting three saves.

The Gophers return home on Saturday, Aug. 11 to take on South Dakota State at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in their final exhibition match up of the preseason. First touch comes at 6 p.m. and admission is free to all fans.

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