University of Minnesota Athletics
Sunday, March 28
St. Paul, MN
1:00 PM
University of Minnesota
5-3-2, 5-3-2
1
vs
0
Maryland
0-8-2, 0-8-2
1
2
F
Maryland
0
0
0
Minnesota
1
0
1
Gophers Secure Senior Day Victory Over Maryland
3/28/2021 4:52:00 PM | Soccer
MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota soccer team used an early goal in the second minute of play to defeat Maryland, 1-0, on senior day at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
With the victory, Minnesota is now 5-3-2 on the season and is tied for fifth place in the Big Ten Conference standings with 17 points.
Prior to kick off, seniors Arianna Del Moral, Athena Kuehn, Makenzie Langdok, Maddie Nielsen and Celina Nummerdor were all honored on the field for their contributions to the Maroon & Gold over the past four seasons.
Upon kick off, the Gophers wasted little time putting together an attack and jumping out to an early lead. Just two minutes into the game, Katie Duong found McKenna Buisman on a deep cross into the box. Buisman settled the ball just feet away from Maryland goalkeeper Krista Varrichione, using her left foot to finish the ball into the back of the net.
Buisman's goal represented her first of the spring 2021 season and the second overall in her collegiate career. Meanwhile, Duong's assist marked her third of the campaign.
With the 1-0 advantage in hand, Minnesota continued to pepper shots on goal for the duration of the first half, but went into halftime with a slim, one-goal lead. Through 45 minutes of play, the Gophers held an edge in shots (10-2), shots on goal (6-2) and corner kicks (1-0).
In the second half, Maryland kept the pressure on in the form of five shots including two on goal. Every Terrapin chance was thwarted by the Gopher defense and goalkeeper Megan Plaschko, however, as Maryland was unable to break through at any point in Sunday's contest.
By the end of the game, Minnesota commanded firm advantages in shots (16-7), shots on goal (9-4) and corners (5-3).
By holding Maryland scoreless, the Gophers recorded their sixth shutout in 10 games this season, which ranks second in the Big Ten. The performance stands as Plaschko's fifth shutout in just eight starts this season, as the Gopher goalkeeper saved all four shots she faced.
Langdok paced all Gophers with five shots including two on goal. Sophia Boman, Buisman, Del Moral and Duong all registered two shots apiece in the game as well.
Boman, Duong, Athena Kuehn, Plaschko and Stekr each started and played all 90 minutes for Minnesota.
Notable
By delivering their sixth shutout in 10 games this season, Minnesota sits in second place in the Big Ten in shutouts, trailing only Wisconsin (seven). The Gophers have now shut out their opponents seven times in their last 12 games dating back to 2019.
Minnesota is now 5-3-2 on the season and is tied for fifth place in the Big Ten Conference standings with 17 points.
Quotable
"I thought it was great that we scored early," said head coach Stefanie Golan. "McKenna getting her first goal of the season, she has been dangerous all season, so that was pretty big. Right now, on the west side of things, I think Wisconsin is in first and we're in second, and we have the opportunity to compete for something in that game this Saturday. We've got good momentum. This team has worked really hard to come together and had a lot of belief in our ability to finish this season strong."
"Every senior day, we're really focusing on putting everything out on the field that we can for them," said Buisman. "For me personally, I've had a lot of opportunities that I really wanted to finish throughout the season, so to get that first one is a huge confidence booster and I really want to ride that out throughout the rest of the season."
Up Next
The Maroon & Gold wrap up regular season play this upcoming Saturday with a 1 p.m. home tilt against Big Ten rival Wisconsin.
With the victory, Minnesota is now 5-3-2 on the season and is tied for fifth place in the Big Ten Conference standings with 17 points.
Prior to kick off, seniors Arianna Del Moral, Athena Kuehn, Makenzie Langdok, Maddie Nielsen and Celina Nummerdor were all honored on the field for their contributions to the Maroon & Gold over the past four seasons.
Upon kick off, the Gophers wasted little time putting together an attack and jumping out to an early lead. Just two minutes into the game, Katie Duong found McKenna Buisman on a deep cross into the box. Buisman settled the ball just feet away from Maryland goalkeeper Krista Varrichione, using her left foot to finish the ball into the back of the net.
If you go one on one with @kennabuisman15, you should expect her to win pic.twitter.com/2wK8pEIoAa
— Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) March 28, 2021
Buisman's goal represented her first of the spring 2021 season and the second overall in her collegiate career. Meanwhile, Duong's assist marked her third of the campaign.
With the 1-0 advantage in hand, Minnesota continued to pepper shots on goal for the duration of the first half, but went into halftime with a slim, one-goal lead. Through 45 minutes of play, the Gophers held an edge in shots (10-2), shots on goal (6-2) and corner kicks (1-0).
In the second half, Maryland kept the pressure on in the form of five shots including two on goal. Every Terrapin chance was thwarted by the Gopher defense and goalkeeper Megan Plaschko, however, as Maryland was unable to break through at any point in Sunday's contest.
By the end of the game, Minnesota commanded firm advantages in shots (16-7), shots on goal (9-4) and corners (5-3).
By holding Maryland scoreless, the Gophers recorded their sixth shutout in 10 games this season, which ranks second in the Big Ten. The performance stands as Plaschko's fifth shutout in just eight starts this season, as the Gopher goalkeeper saved all four shots she faced.
Langdok paced all Gophers with five shots including two on goal. Sophia Boman, Buisman, Del Moral and Duong all registered two shots apiece in the game as well.
Boman, Duong, Athena Kuehn, Plaschko and Stekr each started and played all 90 minutes for Minnesota.
Notable
By delivering their sixth shutout in 10 games this season, Minnesota sits in second place in the Big Ten in shutouts, trailing only Wisconsin (seven). The Gophers have now shut out their opponents seven times in their last 12 games dating back to 2019.
Minnesota is now 5-3-2 on the season and is tied for fifth place in the Big Ten Conference standings with 17 points.
Quotable
"I thought it was great that we scored early," said head coach Stefanie Golan. "McKenna getting her first goal of the season, she has been dangerous all season, so that was pretty big. Right now, on the west side of things, I think Wisconsin is in first and we're in second, and we have the opportunity to compete for something in that game this Saturday. We've got good momentum. This team has worked really hard to come together and had a lot of belief in our ability to finish this season strong."
"Every senior day, we're really focusing on putting everything out on the field that we can for them," said Buisman. "For me personally, I've had a lot of opportunities that I really wanted to finish throughout the season, so to get that first one is a huge confidence booster and I really want to ride that out throughout the rest of the season."
Up Next
The Maroon & Gold wrap up regular season play this upcoming Saturday with a 1 p.m. home tilt against Big Ten rival Wisconsin.
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Team Stats
UMD
MINN
Goals
0
1
Shots
7
16
Shots on Goal
4
9
Saves
8
4
Corners
3
5
Fouls
5
7
Scoring Plays
McKenna Buisman (1)
Assisted By: Katie Duong
GOAL by MINN Buisman, McKenna Assist by Duong, Katie.
02:12
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
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/ Soccer
Midfielder
/ SoccerMidfielder
/ Soccer
Defender
/ SoccerForward
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Midfielder/Forward
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
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