For Marquette junior goaltender and Minnesota native Chelsey Turner, the return to Minnesota wasn’t a pleasant one.
After starting just 4 of 21 games for the Golden Eagles since transferring from Minnesota, Turner received the starting nod in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, and struggled early to pick up the loss.
Turner gave up a pair of goals in the first 15 minutes, and lasted through only the first half of play. Turner’s first goal allowed came shortly following a Lindsey Schwartz corner kick, running into her own defender in goal at 7:54 to allow a Kelsey Hood shot to trickle through.
Turner’s moment of indecision cost her on the second goal, as senior midfielder Clare Grimwood popped up a kick into the box, and Turner came halfway out to defend it, allowing sophomore forward Julie Rezac to head the ball into the back of the net.
Turner started 12 games for Minnesota in 2007, allowing 1.25 goals per game while posting a .771 save percentage.
This season, Turner’s save percentage dropped to .692, compared to an .809 save percentage from Marquette’s regular goalie, Natalie Kulla.
"We have two talented goaltenders and the goal was to give them both a chance," Marquette coach Markus Roeders said.
That happened, as Kulla posted a scoreless second half, but two goals were enough, as Minnesota polished off the Golden Eagles, 2-1 to advance to the second round of the NCAA
tournament. For more information on the game, head to
as she gives the rest of the details.
