University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Michigan State
Players Mentioned
Home and Away Weekend Awaits Gophers
10/1/2019 1:43:00 PM | Soccer
THIS WEEK IN GOPHER SOCCER
The Minnesota soccer team continues Big Ten play when they take on Michigan State at home on Thursday evening before traveling to Bloomington, Indiana, for a match with the Hoosiers on Sunday afternoon.
Thursday's match against the Spartans at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium will feature a pair of promotions. Brooklyn Park Community Day will honor Brooklyn Park native Arianna Del Moral, while a non-perishable food drive will give fans the opportunity to donate to the Thrivent Heart for Hunger Campaign.
SERIES HISTORY
The Gophers have taken on their Big Ten rivals Michigan State 28 times and Indiana 29 times, respectively.
When the Gophers and Spartans meet on Thursday, Minnesota will look to add to their current series lead of 13-12-3. Entering Sunday's meeting in Bloomington, the Gophers hold a 17-10-2 all-time series record over the Hoosiers.
STRONG DEFENSIVELY
Last weekend the Gophers held their two opponents, Ohio State and Penn State, to only four combined shots on goal on the opponents' 16 combined attempts. In both games the Maroon and Gold stepped it up coming out of halftime, especially against the Buckeyes who only got a single shot in the second half while never hitting the frame.
The Gophers' backline is strengthened with a pair of seniors, Marisa Windingstad andCachet Lue. Underclassmen Alana Dressely and Paige Elliott have made a strong impact in recent games as well.
Additionally, the Maroon and Gold are led in goal by goalkeeper Maddie Nielsen, the 2018 Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Defensive Player, who has over 40 saves this season.
ATHENA'S WORLD
Junior Athena Kuehn has been an impact player for the Gophers throughout her junior season on the pitch. Kuehn, a Colorado Springs, Colo., native, is a three-year starter for the Gophers but is making her largest offensive impact in 2019.
Kuehn notched game-winning goals for the Gophers this season in the team's victories over NC State and Ohio State. She has also contributed extensively on the Maroon and Gold backline throughout the season helping shutdown opposing attacks.
NEVER LEAVING THE FIELD
The Gophers have spent more than 1,140 minutes on the field as a team this season and goalkeeper Maddie Nielsen has been in the net for every single one.
On the team's backline, senior Marisa Windingstad has joined Nielsen on the field for every single one of those minutes.
Out of the freshman, Paige Elliott has spent the most time in the Maroon and Gold on the pitch with nearly 830 minutes, followed by Katie Duong at just over 750 minutes.