Its a breezy, cool evening here at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, and I arrived in the press box just in time to see an exciting finish to the Marquette vs. San Diego game. With under two minutes left in the first overtime period, San Diego freshman Brittany Held, with seemingly no angle, looped a shot over Marquette’s keeper that dropped just inside the far post for an impressive, if improbable, golden goal and a 1-0 win.
The Gophers are now preparing to take the field for their opening match-up in the Minnesota Gold Classic against the University of California at Santa Barbara. The Gauchos are coming off their first loss of the season, 4-1 to San Fransisco, while Minnesota has won three straight, its most recent a 7-0 thrashing of Belmont. Check back frequently for updates on the proceedings.
Minnesota Starters Cat Parkhill Josie Solie Marissa Price Katie Bethke Molly Rouse Allie Philips Shari Eckstrom Angie Olson Kylie Kallman Steph Brandt Tamara Strahota 9th minute The first good chance of the game belonged to the Gophers. The ball slid to senior midfielder Molly Rouse at the top of the box, but she sent her shot over the crossbar. 18th minute Allie Philips was played through on goal but her first touch was too heavy and UC-Santa Barbara goalkeeper Makenna Henry was able to cut off the angle and make a nice save on Philips’ sliding shot. Minutes later, Steph Brandt poked a half-volley just over the crossbar, Minnesota’s third missed chance. 23rd minute The Gophers’ first defensive lapse was nearly disastrous, but keeper Cat Parkhill made a brilliant save on Kylie McDonald’s breakaway effort. Minnesota’s first substitution of the game replaces both starting forwards; not terribly surprising based on the Gophers’ struggles in front of goal so far this evening. 38th minute A long cross from Julie Rezac found a waiting Mackenzie Misel on the far post, but her well-placed header was steered wide by Henry. Nothing doing on the corner. Halftime We’re knotted 0-0 at halftime. Minnesota’s best chances have failed to find the target, but wingers have been sending balls into the box at an impressive clip. Stay tuned to see if the Gophers find their scoring touch in the second half. 47th minute GOAL GOPHERS! Albeit with a heavy dose of good fortune. Steph Brandt swung in a cross from the left side, which a UC-SB defender tried to head away. Instead, she drove it straight onto the foot of Allie Philips and the ball lofted over Henry into the net. You take ’em however you can get ’em. 58th minute Yellow card for Molly Rouse. After barely a whistle in the first half, this game has become significantly more physical in the second half. 88th minute GOAL GOPHERS! Steph Brandt took full advantage of a UC-SB gaffe in the waning minutes of the game and delivered a strike from just outside the box into the top corner of the net. The epitome of an insurance goal. MINNESOTA WINS, 2-0.
