Soccer

Oh, so close. Minnesota's soccer team will not make the Big Ten conference tournament for the third consecutive year, and the Gophers don't have to look far for reasons why. Oct. 12, the Gophers tied last-place Iowa 2-2. One week later against Ohio State, Minnesota (5-8-2, 2-6-1 Big Ten) lost in overtime.

Play for pride and show the Big Ten conference the talent of Minnesota's soccer team.

Two days after being hit by a car while riding her bicycle, Minnesota soccer forward Kaitlin Neary told herself she would return to the game in less than a month. On Sunday, with 11:45 remaining in the first half against Iowa, Neary substituted into the game for Allison Raino. Monday was the four-week mark. "I didn't tell anyone of my goal but myself," Neary said. "I kept hearing people say I wouldn't be back this season, but I knew I would return."

After earning only one Big Ten win last season, expectations for Minnesota's soccer season were modest at best. But no one seemed to inform the players of that in August when they set their team expectations for 2003. This season, the Gophers (5-5-1) agreed on one large goal: six victories in 10 conference games.

Minnesota's soccer team gathered near midfield following Sunday's 3-1 loss to Illinois at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The players listened to the comments from coach Barbara Wickstrand and then wandered away to stretch, visit family members and, of course, contemplate what could have been. All three of the Illini's goals came on plays Minnesota could have prevented, and the loss left many Gophers angry.

Only 10 minutes into Minnesota's soccer game against Michigan on Sept. 29, 2002, the Gophers were in a make-or-break situation. Gophers goaltender Karli Kopietz found herself staring down a Michigan attacker on a penalty kick. Allow a goal and the Wolverines would take control of the game. Stop the shot and Minnesota would gain momentum.