University of Minnesota Athletics
Sunday, September 16
Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium
1:00 PM
University of Minnesota
5-4-0, 1-1-0Big Ten
2
vs
0
Northwestern
6-1-2, 0-1-1Big Ten
1
2
F
Northwestern
0
0
0
Minnesota
1
1
2
Balanced Attack Leads Gophers to Upset No. 12 Northwestern, 2-0
9/16/2018 4:14:00 PM | Soccer
MINNEAPOLIS – A balanced offensive attacked mixed in with a strong back line led Minnesota (5-4-0, 1-1-0 Big Ten) to upset No. 12 Northwestern (6-1-2, 0-1-1 Big Ten) Sunday afternoon at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, 2-0. On a picture perfect day in front of 752 fans, senior April Bockin netted the game winner while junior TJ McKendrick scored her first career goal.
"They did it together," said Head Coach Stefanie Golan on the team's effort. "They showed a lot of grit. They knew Sunday's in the Big Ten are a grind and our seniors stepped up, worked super hard and everybody followed along.
The Big Ten foes wasted no time setting an early fast paced tempo. Each squad garnered a corner kick within the first seven minutes. Things got interesting in the eighth minute as Bockin was initially called for a hand ball just outside the penalty box. After deliberation between the referee and fourth official it was determined that the hand ball took place inside of the box awarding Northwestern a penalty kick.
Poised between the posts, sophomore Maddie Nielsen set the tone for the shutout with a huge diving save on the penalty kick. Nielsen with the aid of a strong back line made four saves.
Playing a big role all day, Bockin found herself in the spotlight after the Gophers were fouled in the penalty box in the 25th minute. Taking advantage of the senior moment Bockin scored the first goal for Minnesota against Northwestern since October 14, 2012 on the penalty kick.
The back line of Delaney Stekr, Marisa Windingstad, Athena Kuehn and Nikki Albrecht stood strong as a unit playing in all 90 minutes. They allowed just two first half shots, one of which was on goal and then no Wildcat corner kicks in the second half.
Opportunities continued to present themselves in the second half as a pair of early corner kicks led to later shots by the Gophers. Minnesota dug deep on the warm September afternoon continuing to press on the Wildcats offense.
After a short time in Northwestern territory, the Gophers turned a strong counter attack. In the 71st minute, Molly Fiedler won a loose ball taking a touch right to Megan Gray. Gray playing a great touch sent a cross to the far post where McKendrick was able to score her first collegiate goal.
For Gray she records her first collegiate assist while Fielder tallied career assist number 21 to move to ninth all-time in program history.
The Gophers have now won the last four meetings against Northwestern that have taken place at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium while breaking a four-match losing streak to the Wildcats. The top-15 win is the first for the Gophers since defeating No. 4 Penn State on September 20, 2015.
Concluding a seven-match homestand the Gophers hit the road for Big Ten play at Michigan State on Thursday, Sept. 20 before playing Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 23.
"They did it together," said Head Coach Stefanie Golan on the team's effort. "They showed a lot of grit. They knew Sunday's in the Big Ten are a grind and our seniors stepped up, worked super hard and everybody followed along.
The Big Ten foes wasted no time setting an early fast paced tempo. Each squad garnered a corner kick within the first seven minutes. Things got interesting in the eighth minute as Bockin was initially called for a hand ball just outside the penalty box. After deliberation between the referee and fourth official it was determined that the hand ball took place inside of the box awarding Northwestern a penalty kick.
Poised between the posts, sophomore Maddie Nielsen set the tone for the shutout with a huge diving save on the penalty kick. Nielsen with the aid of a strong back line made four saves.
Playing a big role all day, Bockin found herself in the spotlight after the Gophers were fouled in the penalty box in the 25th minute. Taking advantage of the senior moment Bockin scored the first goal for Minnesota against Northwestern since October 14, 2012 on the penalty kick.
The back line of Delaney Stekr, Marisa Windingstad, Athena Kuehn and Nikki Albrecht stood strong as a unit playing in all 90 minutes. They allowed just two first half shots, one of which was on goal and then no Wildcat corner kicks in the second half.
Opportunities continued to present themselves in the second half as a pair of early corner kicks led to later shots by the Gophers. Minnesota dug deep on the warm September afternoon continuing to press on the Wildcats offense.
After a short time in Northwestern territory, the Gophers turned a strong counter attack. In the 71st minute, Molly Fiedler won a loose ball taking a touch right to Megan Gray. Gray playing a great touch sent a cross to the far post where McKendrick was able to score her first collegiate goal.
For Gray she records her first collegiate assist while Fielder tallied career assist number 21 to move to ninth all-time in program history.
The Gophers have now won the last four meetings against Northwestern that have taken place at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium while breaking a four-match losing streak to the Wildcats. The top-15 win is the first for the Gophers since defeating No. 4 Penn State on September 20, 2015.
Concluding a seven-match homestand the Gophers hit the road for Big Ten play at Michigan State on Thursday, Sept. 20 before playing Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 23.
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Team Stats
NWSOC
MINN
Goals
0
2
Shots
8
11
Shots on Goal
4
5
Saves
3
4
Corners
2
5
Fouls
9
6
Scoring Plays
April Bockin (3)
MINN April Bockin PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 3 for season.
24:47
TJ McKendrick (1)
Assisted By: Megan Gray , Molly Fiedler
16 cross to 5 for header
70:15
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ SoccerForward
/ SoccerMidfielder
/ SoccerMidfielder
/ Soccer
Defender
/ SoccerMidfielder
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Defender
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