University of Minnesota Athletics
Thursday, March 25
St. Paul, MN
1:00 PM
University of Minnesota
4-3-2, 4-3-2
1
vs
0
Purdue
4-4-1, 4-4-1
1
2
F
Purdue
0
0
0
Minnesota
0
1
1
Minnesota Takes Down Purdue in Return to ELR
3/25/2021 5:25:00 PM | Soccer
MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota soccer team bounced back on Thursday afternoon to secure a vital 1-0 victory over Purdue at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
With the win, Minnesota improves to 4-3-2 on the season and is in sole possession of seventh place in the Big Ten standings.
Having dropped their previous two games against top-25 opponents, the Gophers were in need of a signature victory to begin their season-ending three-game home stand at ELR. In the end, that is exactly what the Maroon & Gold delivered on Thursday afternoon, although it took until the second half for the U to break through.
For the first 45 minutes of play, neither team was able to find the back of the net. Minnesota held an 8-5 edge in shots in the first half, including a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal. Meanwhile, Purdue led the way in corners, 3-1.
Although the pace of play picked up in the second half, the game remained knotted at 0-0 up until the 82nd minute.
Late in the 81st minute, the Gophers earned a free kick just beyond midfield after a foul was called on Emily Matthews of Purdue. The Gophers took full advantage of the opportunity, as Delaney Stekr sent a booming free kick into the box and connected with Sophia Boman, who deflected the ball past the Purdue goalkeeper to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead.
Throughout the final eight minutes of play, the Gopher defense held their own and finished off their fifth shutout of the 2021 season. In securing their fifth shutout, Minnesota is now tied for first in the Big Ten in that category.
Overall, Minnesota concluded the game with an edge in shots (15-8) and shots on goal (5-4) while holding even with the Boilermakers in corners (4-4).
En route to scoring the second goal of her young career, Boman paced all Gophers with four shots including two on goal. McKenna Buisman and Arianna Del Moral were the only other Minnesota players to register multiple shots, as the former produced three shots including two on target while the latter recorded two shots of her own.
Minnesota goalkeeper Megan Plaschko once again stopped every shot she faced, finishing the game with four saves. The performance marked Plaschko's fourth shutout in just seven starts this season.
Boman, Katie Duong, Athena Kuehn, Plaschko and Stekr each started and played all 90 minutes for Minnesota.
Notable
Stekr's assist on Boman's game winner in the 82nd minute represents her first career point.
Boman's game-winning goal against Purdue marks both the second goal and second game winner in the young freshman's career. Boman now leads the Gophers with five points on the season.
By commanding a 15-8 shot advantage over Purdue, Minnesota has now outshot their opponents in each of their first nine games to open the 2021 season. The Gophers are outshooting their opponents by a 133-46 overall margin on the year.
Quotable
"This was a tough battle. I thought it was an evenly-contested game. Opportunities were few and far between," head coach Stefanie Golan said. "The team really fought hard and I thought we created a couple of really good looks. We're starting to get into the more dangerous and higher percentage opportunity areas… These girls are resilient and gritty and found a way to get the W. What a service from Delaney and great positioning and finish by Boman."
"Being able to win at ELR the first time we got the chance to play there this season was really special," Stekr said. "The game was chaotic, but Sophia just did an amazing job being gritty in the box and finding a touch on the ball."
Up Next
The Maroon & Gold remain home to take on Maryland on Sunday, March 28 at 1.pm. Sunday's game at ELR will serve as the team's Senior Day.
With the win, Minnesota improves to 4-3-2 on the season and is in sole possession of seventh place in the Big Ten standings.
Having dropped their previous two games against top-25 opponents, the Gophers were in need of a signature victory to begin their season-ending three-game home stand at ELR. In the end, that is exactly what the Maroon & Gold delivered on Thursday afternoon, although it took until the second half for the U to break through.
For the first 45 minutes of play, neither team was able to find the back of the net. Minnesota held an 8-5 edge in shots in the first half, including a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal. Meanwhile, Purdue led the way in corners, 3-1.
Although the pace of play picked up in the second half, the game remained knotted at 0-0 up until the 82nd minute.
Late in the 81st minute, the Gophers earned a free kick just beyond midfield after a foul was called on Emily Matthews of Purdue. The Gophers took full advantage of the opportunity, as Delaney Stekr sent a booming free kick into the box and connected with Sophia Boman, who deflected the ball past the Purdue goalkeeper to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead.
If you find Sophia Boman in the box, good things will happen. pic.twitter.com/vFoPQrpVej
— Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) March 25, 2021
Throughout the final eight minutes of play, the Gopher defense held their own and finished off their fifth shutout of the 2021 season. In securing their fifth shutout, Minnesota is now tied for first in the Big Ten in that category.
Overall, Minnesota concluded the game with an edge in shots (15-8) and shots on goal (5-4) while holding even with the Boilermakers in corners (4-4).
En route to scoring the second goal of her young career, Boman paced all Gophers with four shots including two on goal. McKenna Buisman and Arianna Del Moral were the only other Minnesota players to register multiple shots, as the former produced three shots including two on target while the latter recorded two shots of her own.
Minnesota goalkeeper Megan Plaschko once again stopped every shot she faced, finishing the game with four saves. The performance marked Plaschko's fourth shutout in just seven starts this season.
Boman, Katie Duong, Athena Kuehn, Plaschko and Stekr each started and played all 90 minutes for Minnesota.
Notable
Stekr's assist on Boman's game winner in the 82nd minute represents her first career point.
Boman's game-winning goal against Purdue marks both the second goal and second game winner in the young freshman's career. Boman now leads the Gophers with five points on the season.
By commanding a 15-8 shot advantage over Purdue, Minnesota has now outshot their opponents in each of their first nine games to open the 2021 season. The Gophers are outshooting their opponents by a 133-46 overall margin on the year.
Quotable
"This was a tough battle. I thought it was an evenly-contested game. Opportunities were few and far between," head coach Stefanie Golan said. "The team really fought hard and I thought we created a couple of really good looks. We're starting to get into the more dangerous and higher percentage opportunity areas… These girls are resilient and gritty and found a way to get the W. What a service from Delaney and great positioning and finish by Boman."
"Being able to win at ELR the first time we got the chance to play there this season was really special," Stekr said. "The game was chaotic, but Sophia just did an amazing job being gritty in the box and finding a touch on the ball."
Up Next
The Maroon & Gold remain home to take on Maryland on Sunday, March 28 at 1.pm. Sunday's game at ELR will serve as the team's Senior Day.
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Team Stats
PUR
MINN
Goals
0
1
Shots
8
15
Shots on Goal
4
5
Saves
4
4
Corners
4
4
Fouls
6
3
Scoring Plays
Sophia Boman (2)
Assisted By: Delaney Stekr
GOAL by MINN Boman, Sophia Assist by Stekr, Delaney.
82:08
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ SoccerForward
/ SoccerMidfielder
/ Soccer
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ SoccerDefender
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