Soccer

A solid weekend has Minnesota liking where they stand in the Big Ten as the regular season comes to a conclusion.

The Gophers (9-7-1 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) defeated Northwestern and Wisconsin for their first weekend road sweep since 2005 and moved into a tie for fifth place in the conference.

up next

Iowa

what: Soccer
when: 7 p.m., Friday
where: Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium

It's amazing what one victory will do for a team.

Just a week ago Minnesota had lost three consecutive matches and stared at the prospect of facing the No. 8 nationally ranked Penn State Nittany Lady Lions.

Then everything changed as the Gophers stunned the Lady Lions when they scored in the second overtime for a 1-0 victory. The win went down as the greatest upset in history for the program and re-energized a team entering the final three games of the regular season.

"We have a little extra bounce in our step," junior midfielder Kaitlin Wagner said.

On a weekend filled with celebrations Minnesota had more reason to rejoice Sunday after delivering a stunning defeat to No. 8 Penn State.

up next

northwestern

what: Soccer
when: 4 p.m., Friday
where: Evanston, Ill.

Minnesota's defense collapsed like a stack of dominos last weekend and it will need to quickly pick themselves up in order to contend the rest of the season.

The Gophers (6-6-1 overall, 2-3 Big Ten) square off against No. 8 regionally ranked Ohio State (9-5 overall, 3-2 Big Ten) Friday and then battle perennial powerhouse No. 8 nationally ranked Penn State (11-2-1 overall, 5-0-0 Big Ten) Sunday.

Minnesota surrendered seven goals against Indiana and Purdue last weekend to extend its losing streak to three games and raise concern about their goalkeeping and defending.

The Big Ten is teaching the young Minnesota squad some tough lessons this season, and the most difficult lesson came this weekend against conference co-leaders Indiana and Purdue.

The Gophers (6-6-1 overall, 2-3 Big Ten) entered the weekend having lost 1-0 to Illinois after displaying brilliant defense against a top-tier conference team.

up next

ohio state

what: Soccer

when: 7 p.m., Friday

The offensive firepower for Minnesota needs relighting.

The Gophers (6-4-1 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) face a tall task this weekend in tackling Big Ten co-leaders Indiana (9-1-2 overall, 3-0-1 Big Ten) and Purdue (11-1-2 overall, 3-0-1 Big Ten) while in the midst of an offensive funk.

After pounding out an average of 18 shots per game during the nonconference schedule the Gophers have mustered fewer than 10 per game in the Big Ten.

The situation became evident in their 1-0 loss to Illinois where Minnesota tallied only seven shots, two of which were on goal.

It's certainly not commonplace for upperclassmen to be able to groom their protégés while on the field, but when senior Hailey McCarthy moved to midfield freshman Kylie Kallman stepped in as her replacement in the defense.

McCarthy arrived at Minnesota never having played centerback, but coach Mikki Denney Wright found having her there helped the team.

Before McCarthy arrived, the team had a Big Ten worst 2.38 goals against average. The next year the team posted a 1.43 goals against average.

"In her time our defense has transformed," Denney Wright said.

The road to the top of the Big Ten proved difficult for Minnesota this weekend as it dropped a tough match against Illinois.

The Gophers lost 1-0 on the road against a very tough Fighting Illini team.

up next

indiana

what: Soccer

when: 6 p.m., Friday

where: Bloomington, Ind.

Minnesota has a chance to make a statement to the rest of the conference this weekend.

The Gophers begin their first road trip of the Big Ten schedule against Illinois on Friday night.

Minnesota (6-3-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) enters a crucial stretch of five games, riding on a five-game unbeaten streak, but the Illini game will serve as a barometer to track the progress of the team.

The next five opponents the Gophers face all have rankings in either the national or regional polls.

"We're in a stretch where we look at all five games," coach Mikki Denney Wright said.

Minnesota earned its first weekend sweep in three weeks after another "shutout Sunday" and a bit of a freaky Friday at home this weekend.

The Gophers defeated Michigan State 2-0 in the Sunday tilt after beating Michigan 2-1 Friday night.

up next

illinois

when: 7 p.m. Friday

where: Champaign, Ill.