Minnesota Mounts Second Half Comeback to Defeat Northwestern in OT

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MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Soccer team used second half goals from Katie Koker and Sadie Harper to battle back from a 1-0 halftime deficit and take down visiting Northwestern, 2-1, on Thursday afternoon.

Although Minnesota fell behind, 1-0, on a Northwestern goal scored by Rowan Lapi within the final minute of the first half, it was all Gophers from the second half on. After holding a slight advantage in shots (three-to-two) in the first half, Minnesota dominated the second half to the tune of a 16-to-two shot advantage and a nine-to-one edge in corners.

That offensive dominance was eventually enough for Minnesota to break through. In the 57^th minute, Katie Duong sent a beautiful cross into the box to Katie Koker, who finished the ball into the back of the net for her first career goal as a Gopher.

With the game knotted at 1-1, there proved to be no further scoring in the second half despite the Gophers' best efforts. Nearly seven minutes into the first overtime period, however, it was again time for Duong to stir up some magic.

From the top of the 18-yard box, McKenna Buisman sent a smooth pass to Duong, who one-timed a cross into the box to Sadie Harper. Receiving the ball in stride, Harper then used an excellent one-time finish with her right foot to score the game-winning goal and improve the Gophers to 2-1-1 on the season.

Overall, Minnesota finished with 20 shots including five on goal, while Northwestern mustered five shots including four on goal. The Maroon & Gold ended the day with a 10-to-four advantage in corner kicks.

Starting in goal for the second consecutive game, goalkeeper Megan Plaschko played the entire 96-plus minutes for Minnesota, making three saves on four shots faced.

While Koker's first half goal was her first-ever in Maroon & Gold, Harper's game-winner represented the sophomore's fourth career goal and second of the 2021 campaign.

Duong's two assists marked a new career high and signified the second and third assists of her young career.

Sophia Boman, Buisman, Arianna Del Moral, Duong, Abi Frandsen, Harper and Koker all registered multiple shots for Minnesota in the victory. Boman, Duong, Megan Gray, Athena Kuehn, Plaschko, Delaney Stekr and Patricia Ward each started and played the entire game for the Gophers.

Quotable
"It was a really gritty performance and what we talked about after the first half, is we just didn't have that extra edge in the attacking third," head coach Stefanie Golan said. "You started seeing us take a lot more risks. You saw us really getting at them. We went from one corner to nine corners. We went from three shots to 16 shots. It was just lighting a fire under that attacking side of things and the team gave us what we needed today. Two unbelievable balls by Katie Duong. Great finishes by Koker and Sadie. On a whole, there were no poor performances today."

"Once we hit the second half, we just knew it was coming. Everyone could feel it. It's just a matter of wanting the ball, getting on the end of our chances and finishing," Koker said. "It was super exciting. I usually don't get in on corner kicks, so this season, getting in on them has been a blast. I screamed for the ball and Katie Duong just played a dime. That's what set me up."

Notable

Minnesota improves to 2-1-1 on the season with the win and has now won two straight games.
Katie Duong's two assists marked a new career high, while Katie Koker's first half goal was the first of her Gopher career.
Sadie Harper now leads the Gophers with two goals on the young season.

Up Next
Minnesota will not wait long before returning to the field, as the Gophers are set to host Illinois this Saturday at 8:00 p.m. CT.

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