With strong performances from all members of the team, most notably the team’s senior starters, the Gophers were able to secure a 2-0 victory against the Northwestern Wildcats. The win moves the Gophers to 17-2-0 Overall and 7-2-0 in the Big Ten. The Gophers will travel to Iowa next weekend to play their final game of the regular season. Expect to see the team return to Iowa for the weekend of Nov. 6 to compete in the Big Ten tournament. 76:31 Gophers score: Again present in the offense, Clare Grimwood put the Gophers up 2-0 with her third goal of the season and second of the weekend after sharp crosses from Strahota and Schwartz sent the ball her way. 67:29 Gophers score: Tamara Strahota put the Gophers up 1-0 with her fourth goal of the season. Strahota peeled the ball away in the midfield, sneaking the shot past Northwestern goalkeeper Carolyn Edwards on the breakaway. Other Big Ten games: In other important matchups around the conference, Penn State defeated Purdue 2-0; Michigan State ended in a 1-1 tie with South Dakota State University; Indiana is leading Michigan 1-0 late in the second half; Illinois leads Ohio State 1-0 late in the second, and Iowa leads Wisconsin by a 2-0 margin late in the second half. At the half: The game remains tied at zero, but there’s no doubt each side has seen its share of opportunities. Shots are in favor of the Gophers 6-2, and the team has had several close shots and near-goals. Not least of which was senior midfielder Clare Grimwood’s slow bouncing effort toward the wide open net midway through the half.
Weather conditions could not be worse for the Gophers’ last home game of the regular season. Unseasonably strong winds and blustering snow with a temperature of about 36 degrees Fahrenheit will work against both teams as the Gophers battle the Northwestern Wildcats in their second-to-last game of the season. With a win today, the Gophers could have an opportunity to move into first place in the Big Ten.
A sore ankle will prevent Minnesota sophomore midfielder Katie Bethke from starting today, and it is unsure whether she will take to the field at all.
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