University of Minnesota Athletics
Thursday, September 21
6:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Michigan State
Players Mentioned
Midfielder/Forward
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gophers Ready for Second Weekend of Conference Play
9/20/2023 10:31:00 AM | Soccer
Minnesota hosts Michigan State and travels to Iowa
Minnesota (4-2-2, 0-1-0 Big Ten) vs. Michigan State (5-2-2, 0-0-1 Big Ten)
Date: Sept. 21, 2023
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Site: Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium
X: @GopherSoccer, @MSU_wsoccer
Minnesota (4-2-2, 0-1-0 Big Ten) vs. RV Iowa (6-0-2, 0-0-1 Big Ten)
Date: Sept. 24, 2023
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Site: U-I Soccer Complex
X: @GopherSoccer, @HawkeyeSoccer
Scouting Sparty
Returning back to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium for their first conference home match up, Minnesota will host Michigan State on Thursday. The Spartans started off their conference season with a tie against Ohio State last week.
The Spartans are led offensively by freshman Bella Najera, who has scored in the last three matches and four of the last five. For her efforts, Najera was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. The honor marked her first career conference accolade and first of the season for Michigan State.
Last Time Out: Michigan State
In 2022, the Golden Gophers traveled to East Lansing for the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Despite leading Michigan State for 51 minutes, thanks to a goal from McKenna Buisman, the nationally ranked No. 6 (and No. 1 Big Ten Tournament seed) Spartans scored two goals in the second half to clinch the win.
Michigan State lost to No. 21 Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament Championship and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Series History: Michigan State
Thursday's match marks the 33rd meeting between the Gophers and Spartans, with the series tied at 14-14-4. Throughout the series, it has been defined by close matchups, with 22 meetings being decided by on goal or less, including the last five.
Scouting the Hawkeyes
Bouncing in and out of the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 are the University of Iowa, Hawkeyes. Iowa holds an unblemished 6-0-2 record, and received votes in this week's United Soccer Coaches poll. Iowa opened Big Ten play against Illinois at home and tied the Illini, 1-1.
Last Time Out: Iowa
Last season, the Hawkeyes came to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Senior Day and fell to the Golden Gophers, 1-0. Gabbie Cesarone scored her fourth game-winning goal off a corner kick from McKenna Buisman.
Goalkeeper Megan Plaschko picked up the shutout and stopped all six of Iowa's chances from going in, which set her 2022 season high (as of Oct. 9). The Golden Gophers also played in front of a record breaking crowd, 1,909 fans which made it the highest attended game in Gopher soccer history.
Student Appreciation Night
Thursday is Student Appreciation Night for University of Minnesota students. Free pizza and a t-shirt giveaway for the first 150 fans will begin once gates open. Students are encouraged to use the free student shuttle. One shuttle runs from Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium to the St. Paul Campus parking lots and the other from Athlete's Village. They run an hour before each game and an hour after. You can find the map here.
Date: Sept. 21, 2023
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Site: Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium
X: @GopherSoccer, @MSU_wsoccer
Minnesota (4-2-2, 0-1-0 Big Ten) vs. RV Iowa (6-0-2, 0-0-1 Big Ten)
Date: Sept. 24, 2023
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Site: U-I Soccer Complex
X: @GopherSoccer, @HawkeyeSoccer
Scouting Sparty
Returning back to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium for their first conference home match up, Minnesota will host Michigan State on Thursday. The Spartans started off their conference season with a tie against Ohio State last week.
The Spartans are led offensively by freshman Bella Najera, who has scored in the last three matches and four of the last five. For her efforts, Najera was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. The honor marked her first career conference accolade and first of the season for Michigan State.
Last Time Out: Michigan State
In 2022, the Golden Gophers traveled to East Lansing for the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Despite leading Michigan State for 51 minutes, thanks to a goal from McKenna Buisman, the nationally ranked No. 6 (and No. 1 Big Ten Tournament seed) Spartans scored two goals in the second half to clinch the win.
Michigan State lost to No. 21 Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament Championship and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Series History: Michigan State
Thursday's match marks the 33rd meeting between the Gophers and Spartans, with the series tied at 14-14-4. Throughout the series, it has been defined by close matchups, with 22 meetings being decided by on goal or less, including the last five.
Scouting the Hawkeyes
Bouncing in and out of the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 are the University of Iowa, Hawkeyes. Iowa holds an unblemished 6-0-2 record, and received votes in this week's United Soccer Coaches poll. Iowa opened Big Ten play against Illinois at home and tied the Illini, 1-1.
Last Time Out: Iowa
Last season, the Hawkeyes came to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Senior Day and fell to the Golden Gophers, 1-0. Gabbie Cesarone scored her fourth game-winning goal off a corner kick from McKenna Buisman.
Goalkeeper Megan Plaschko picked up the shutout and stopped all six of Iowa's chances from going in, which set her 2022 season high (as of Oct. 9). The Golden Gophers also played in front of a record breaking crowd, 1,909 fans which made it the highest attended game in Gopher soccer history.
Student Appreciation Night
Thursday is Student Appreciation Night for University of Minnesota students. Free pizza and a t-shirt giveaway for the first 150 fans will begin once gates open. Students are encouraged to use the free student shuttle. One shuttle runs from Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium to the St. Paul Campus parking lots and the other from Athlete's Village. They run an hour before each game and an hour after. You can find the map here.
2025 Season Highlights
Thursday, October 30
Play in Focus: Sarah Martin
Tuesday, October 21
Highlights: Gophers 0, Oregon 0
Sunday, October 19
Highlights: Gophers 2, Washington 3
Friday, October 17