University of Minnesota Athletics
Thursday, March 4
Minneapolis, MN
1:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Northwestern
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Forward
/ Soccer
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Forward
/ Soccer
Forward
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Minnesota Returns Home to Host Northwestern, Illinois
3/2/2021 1:48:00 PM | Soccer
Thursday, March 4
Minnesota vs. Northwestern
Time: 1:00 p.m. CT
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Watch: BTN+
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Saturday, March 6
Minnesota vs. Illinois
Time: 8:00 p.m. CT
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Watch: BTN+
After leaving town for a two-game road trip to the state of Michigan, the Gopher Soccer team (1-1-1) is back in Minneapolis for a pair of Big Ten contests. Minnesota will host Northwestern (2-1) for an afternoon tilt on March 4 before welcoming Illinois (2-1) to the Twin Cities for a night match on March 6.
SERIES HISTORY
Across the history of the program, Minnesota has faced Northwestern 27 times and Illinois on 23 occasions.
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Entering Thursday's matchup, the Gophers hold a 16-9-2 advantage in the all-time series against the Wildcats after defeating Northwestern on the road last season, 1-0. Katie Duong scored her first career goal in that contest to power Minnesota to victory. Minnesota comes into Thursday's game riding a two-game winning streak against Northwestern.
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As for Illinois, the Gophers trail in the all-time series 9-13-1 after falling to the Illini in Champaign, 4-1, last season. Minnesota currently finds themselves on a two-game losing streak against Illinois.
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LAST TIME OUT
The Gophers enter their upcoming two-game home stand fresh off a 1-0 victory at Michigan State on March 1. After falling to Michigan, 2-0, in Ann Arbor on Feb. 25, Minnesota rallied to obtain their first win of the young season in East Lansing. Goalkeeper Megan Plaschko produced a shutout in goal with two saves, while Sadie Harper netted the Maroon & Gold's lone goal in the 41st minute to secure the victory. Minnesota commanded a significant edge in shots (16-to-five), shots on goal (eight-to-two) and corner kicks (11-to-two).
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PLASCHKO ON A RUN
Highlighted by her first career shutout in her first collegiate start on March 1, Plaschko has not allowed a goal through 200 minutes to begin the 2021 season, owning five saves.
STRONG ON D
After shutting out Michigan State on March 1, the Gophers now have two shutouts in just three games to open the season. During that span, opponents have only registered 17 shots (eight on target) against the Maroon & Gold, while the Gophers have produced 38 shots (16 on target). Minnesota has now held their opponents scoreless in three out of their last five games dating back to 2019.
BUISMAN PACING GOPHERS IN SHOTS
Minnesota owns 38 total shots through the first three games, with 14 of those coming off the foot of McKenna Buisman. Seeing her first action since the 2018 season, Buisman paces all Gophers in shots as well as shots on target (six).
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GOING THE DISTANCE
Four Gophers have played all 290 minutes for Minnesota so far this season: Sophia Boman, Duong, Athena Kuehn and Delaney Stekr.
FRESHMEN FIRSTS
Two freshmen, Boman and Abi Frandsen, have both seen a heavy dosage of minutes through the first three games of the year. Boman has started all three games and played all 290 minutes, with her first career point coming on March 1 as she assisted Harper's game-winning goal in the 41st minute. Meanwhile, Frandsen has totaled 88 minutes off the bench with three shots (all on target) to her credit.
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GOLAN BECOMES LONGEST-TENURED GOPHER HEAD SOCCER COACH
With the 2020-21 campaign officially underway, head coach Stefanie Golan has now been at the helm of the program longer than any head coach in program history. Now in her ninth season with the Gophers, Golan has compiled an 88-61-22 (.518) record, won one B1G Regular Season Championship and two B1G Tournament Championships. Mikki Denney Wright (2004-11) is the only other Minnesota soccer coach to lead the program for at least eight seasons.
UP NEXT
Following the two-game home stand, Minnesota will take to the road for the next three contests to follow. The Gophers will travel to Iowa (March 14), Penn State (March 18) and Rutgers (March 21).
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Minnesota vs. Northwestern
Time: 1:00 p.m. CT
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Watch: BTN+
Â
Saturday, March 6
Minnesota vs. Illinois
Time: 8:00 p.m. CT
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Watch: BTN+
After leaving town for a two-game road trip to the state of Michigan, the Gopher Soccer team (1-1-1) is back in Minneapolis for a pair of Big Ten contests. Minnesota will host Northwestern (2-1) for an afternoon tilt on March 4 before welcoming Illinois (2-1) to the Twin Cities for a night match on March 6.
SERIES HISTORY
Across the history of the program, Minnesota has faced Northwestern 27 times and Illinois on 23 occasions.
Â
Entering Thursday's matchup, the Gophers hold a 16-9-2 advantage in the all-time series against the Wildcats after defeating Northwestern on the road last season, 1-0. Katie Duong scored her first career goal in that contest to power Minnesota to victory. Minnesota comes into Thursday's game riding a two-game winning streak against Northwestern.
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As for Illinois, the Gophers trail in the all-time series 9-13-1 after falling to the Illini in Champaign, 4-1, last season. Minnesota currently finds themselves on a two-game losing streak against Illinois.
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LAST TIME OUT
The Gophers enter their upcoming two-game home stand fresh off a 1-0 victory at Michigan State on March 1. After falling to Michigan, 2-0, in Ann Arbor on Feb. 25, Minnesota rallied to obtain their first win of the young season in East Lansing. Goalkeeper Megan Plaschko produced a shutout in goal with two saves, while Sadie Harper netted the Maroon & Gold's lone goal in the 41st minute to secure the victory. Minnesota commanded a significant edge in shots (16-to-five), shots on goal (eight-to-two) and corner kicks (11-to-two).
Â
PLASCHKO ON A RUN
Highlighted by her first career shutout in her first collegiate start on March 1, Plaschko has not allowed a goal through 200 minutes to begin the 2021 season, owning five saves.
STRONG ON D
After shutting out Michigan State on March 1, the Gophers now have two shutouts in just three games to open the season. During that span, opponents have only registered 17 shots (eight on target) against the Maroon & Gold, while the Gophers have produced 38 shots (16 on target). Minnesota has now held their opponents scoreless in three out of their last five games dating back to 2019.
BUISMAN PACING GOPHERS IN SHOTS
Minnesota owns 38 total shots through the first three games, with 14 of those coming off the foot of McKenna Buisman. Seeing her first action since the 2018 season, Buisman paces all Gophers in shots as well as shots on target (six).
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GOING THE DISTANCE
Four Gophers have played all 290 minutes for Minnesota so far this season: Sophia Boman, Duong, Athena Kuehn and Delaney Stekr.
FRESHMEN FIRSTS
Two freshmen, Boman and Abi Frandsen, have both seen a heavy dosage of minutes through the first three games of the year. Boman has started all three games and played all 290 minutes, with her first career point coming on March 1 as she assisted Harper's game-winning goal in the 41st minute. Meanwhile, Frandsen has totaled 88 minutes off the bench with three shots (all on target) to her credit.
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GOLAN BECOMES LONGEST-TENURED GOPHER HEAD SOCCER COACH
With the 2020-21 campaign officially underway, head coach Stefanie Golan has now been at the helm of the program longer than any head coach in program history. Now in her ninth season with the Gophers, Golan has compiled an 88-61-22 (.518) record, won one B1G Regular Season Championship and two B1G Tournament Championships. Mikki Denney Wright (2004-11) is the only other Minnesota soccer coach to lead the program for at least eight seasons.
UP NEXT
Following the two-game home stand, Minnesota will take to the road for the next three contests to follow. The Gophers will travel to Iowa (March 14), Penn State (March 18) and Rutgers (March 21).
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