The last time the Gophers soccer team found themselves in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament was 14 years ago.

Eight years ago was the last time they hosted a tournament game, but it was six years ago when they last played in the tournament. 

Fast forward to now, Gophers women’s soccer did all of that before falling 3-0 to North Carolina on Sunday.

The Tar Heels beat the Gophers at Dorrance Field in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Sunday. They were led by freshman Linda Ullmark, sophomore Evelyn Shores and sophomore Olivia Thomas, who each scored a goal. 

In the last 20 years, North Carolina made the championship game seven times, winning four. 

The Gophers worked hard for 90 minutes, but despite a comeback win in their last game against South Carolina, the Gophers could not overcome the three goals scored by the Tar Heels. 

In their previous game against South Carolina, the Gophers entered the second half down a goal, but after fifth-year Sophia Boman equalized the game with a penalty, they stayed aggressive. Fifth-year Sophia Romine put the Gophers ahead with a 20-yard shot that hit the back of the net with 20 minutes left. 

Gophers graduate Jelena Zbiljic said Thursday she felt the new Big Ten helped prepare the team for these tougher tournament games.

“I think nine out of the 10 Big Ten teams are still playing in the round of 32, it just shows how strong our conference is,” Zbiljic said. “It helped prepare us for playing another big team in another Power Four conference.” 

Sophomore Paige Kalal added the Gophers were battle-tested already due to the strength of the Big Ten. 

Looking Forward

The Gophers now have to figure out how they will replace graduating players Khyah Harper, Romine, Boman, Zbiljic, Ally Childers, Elizabeth Overberg and Evelyn Calhoon, all of whom played significant roles for the Gophers this season. 

Harper finished as the Big Ten Forward of the Year and was a part of the All-Big Ten first team alongside Boman. Harper scored 17 goals and Boman added eight, Romine put up five, Calhoon and Childers scored one goal. 

Harper was quiet in the goal department the last few games. In the last five games, Harper scored no goals. It was her longest-scoring drought of the season. 

As of Nov. 24, Harper ended the season ninth in the nation in goals, two behind Ohio State forward Kailyn Dudukovich who stood in first place. 

Overberg, who didn’t add a goal but was a co-team captain, said she appreciated the last few opportunities she had to play collegiate soccer with the Gophers in an interview on Nov. 13.

“I think our team is so special because we are so close,” Overberg said. “It gives us so much more motivation. It means a lot, but it is also a big motivating factor.”

Kalal said the underclassmen learned how to fill the shoes of the graduates this season. 

“Believing in your teammates and your team as a whole is going to really help push you through to the next level,” Kalal said. “Playing with the upperclassmen this year has really helped us set the tone and know what we can expect going forward.”

Kalal added as she becomes an upperclassman next year, she knows it is on her and her fellow upperclassmen to set the tone and continue their success. 

The Gophers still have Kalal and redshirt freshman Caroline Birdsell next season who finished her freshman campaign with two goals and seven points. Kalal added two goals as well. 

Both of them played in every game this season.