Gophers Look Ahead to Split Conference Week

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota looks ahead to a split week against Big Ten opponents Michigan and Wisconsin. The Gophers host the Wolverines at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday night at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. They'll hit the road to face Border Battle rival, Wisconsin on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT in Madison.

Minnesota (7-0-1, 1-0-0 B1G) vs Michigan (1-6-1, 0-1-0 B1G)
Date: Sept. 19
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+
Location: Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium

Minnesota (7-0-1, 1-0-0 B1G) vs Wisconsin (4-2-1, 0-1-0 B1G)
Date: Sept. 22
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+
Location: McClimon Soccer Complex

Scouting the Wolverines
Thursday marks Michigan's second straight road game to begin conference play, after falling at No. 12 Penn State 6-0 on Sunday. Despite their 1-6-1 record, Michigan is the only school in the Big Ten that has played seven top-100 RPI teams. Four of their opponents this season are top 25 in No. 12 Penn State, No. 13 Notre Dame, No. 16 Xavier and No. 19 Colorado.

In her last two contests played, goalkeeper Stephanie Sparkowski has made 14 saves, including 10 at No. 12 Penn State, a career high. Following Thursday, Michigan travels back to Ann Arbor to host Nebraska on Sunday.

Scouting the Badgers
Before facing Minnesota on Sunday, the Wisconsin Badgers will host Illinois on Thursday evening in its second conference home game. Last Thursday, Wisconsin fell to Rutgers 0-1 in Madison. The Scarlet Knights' game-winning goal came in the 79th minute.

The Golden Gophers have not defeated the Badgers in over 10 seasons. The last time Minnesota earned a result was a 1-1 tie that went to double overtime during the 2020-21 season. The last win the Maroon and Gold had over their Border Battle rival was in 2013. Minnesota scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime period.

In Our 2008 Era
Following Sunday's win over NDSU, the Gophers are off to their best start since the 2008 season. Minnesota holds a 7-0-1 record over its opponents, marking the first time they've gone undefeated through eight games in 16 seasons. In 2008, Minnesota went undefeated through 10 games.

She's Just Living that Life
On Sunday, senior Khyah Harper scored her ninth goal of the season. The forward has stayed on the national stage through week five of the season. Harper now ranks nationally and leads the conference with four game-winning goals (2nd in NCAA, 1st in B1G), nine goals (3rd nationally, 1st in B1G), and 21 total points (3rd nationally, 1st in B1G).

Milestone Watch
Head Coach Erin Chastain is on the cusp of a career milestone, 150 wins as a head coach. Chastain began her head coaching career at DePaul in 2007. While leading the Blue Demons, Chastain compiled a 119-113-34 record. She led DePaul to two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2013 and 2014.

Seated Among the Best
On Monday, the first RPI (ratings percentage index) of the 2024 season was announced and the Gophers were slated among the best at No. 27. Minnesota picked up wins earlier this year over Creighton and Army, who both sit in the top 50 at No. 32 and No. 43, respectively.

Four other Big Ten opponents sit in the top 25 in No. 5 Ohio State, No. 6 Penn State, No. 8 USC, No. 12 Iowa, and No. 24 Indiana. The Maroon and Gold also have two others that sit in the top 50 in No. 26 UCLA and No. 38 Wisconsin.

Minute by Minute
Graduate captain Sophia Boman has totaled 5,341 minutes in her career as a Gopher. Currently, the midfielder has 19 consecutive matches (dating back to last season) that she has competed for a full 90 minutes. The Minnesota native has started all 60 matches since her freshman season and has competed in every game fully except for nine. In total, Boman has only missed 154 minutes on the field.

Shutout Sarah
In Minnesota's last two matches, goalkeeper Sarah Martin has recorded back-to-back clean sheets. In her last four games, Martin has allowed just one goal. So far this season, the sophomore has grabbed 19 saves. She holds a 0.75 GAA (goals against average) through the Gophers' first eight games.

Spreading the Wealth
10 or more Gophers have recorded at least one point this season, including all but two starters. Minnesota's back line in Elizabeth Overberg, Ashley Thurk, Jelena Zbiljic, and Fiona Skwierawski have all dished out an assist. All of Minnesota's starters on offense have at least four points. Harper leads the way with 21 while Sophia Romine has nine so far.

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Players Mentioned

Sophia Boman

Khyah Harper

Sarah Martin

Elizabeth Overberg

Sophia Romine

Fiona Skwierawski

Ashley Thurk

Jelena Zbiljic