Plaschko's Shutout Streak Continues as Gophers Draw with Mississippi State

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MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota (2-0-2, 0-0-0 B1G) saw its shutout streak continue on Thursday afternoon with a 0-0 draw against Mississippi State (2-2-1, 0-0-0 SEC) at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. Megan Plaschko secured her fourth-straight shutout in a nine-save performance to help the Gophers remain undefeated.

"One key takeaway for me today is that Plaschko played outstanding," head coach Erin Chastain said. "She stepped up, she was a leader and she made big plays when she had to. We're really happy with where she is at now and we are excited to see her continue to grow and get better."

The four-straight shutouts to start the season is the first time in Minnesota soccer history a team has achieved that. Thursday's clean sheet is Plaschko's ninth of her career and that total comes in just 14 career starts. Plaschko also made a career high nine saves in the draw with Mississippi State. The nine saves is the most by a Minnesota goalkeeper since volunteer assistant coach Tarah Hobbs had 10 against Iowa in a 2-2 draw in 2013.

The first half was an even one on the field between the two squads, the Gophers finished the first half with six shots while the Bulldog's had seven with Mississippi State holding a slight advantage in the quality of those opportunities. The second 45 minutes of action favored the Bulldog's in regards to statistics with an 8-2 shot advantage but Plaschko time and time again made saves to keep the match scoreless.

Arguably the moment of the match came in the 28th minute of the match when Mississippi State drew a penalty kick. Onyi Echegini attempted the penalty but Plaschko dropped herself in front of the left-sided attempt to keep the match even halfway through the first half.

29' | MEGAN FREAKING PLASCHKO!! ❌❌

The penalty kick is DENIED by the keeper to keep MSU off the board!#Gophers - 0 // Mississippi State - 0 pic.twitter.com/ClmalXlIZs
— Minnesota Soccer (@GopherSoccer) September 2, 2021

"I think we can be a bit better in the defensive third," Chastain said. "Overall we had some really good performances, Izzy stepped up and had a near goal in the first overtime period. Patricia Ward was dangerous and did some really nice things for us."

Minnesota's best chance at scoring came in the first overtime period when Izzy Brown turned and fired a laser at Maddy Anderson that sailed just high of the crossbar. Patricia Ward, who made her first start of the season, along with Sophia Boman, led the Gophers with three shots each with the team ending with a total of 13 with three on goal.

Minnesota's next contest will come on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m. against Wyoming (3-0-0, 0-0-0) at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The match between the Gophers and the Cowgirls can be seen on BTN+.

For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's soccer on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherSoccer) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the 2021 season.

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