With more players on the roster this spring, Gophers women’s soccer is focusing on improving and building chemistry ahead of the fall season.

Senior Kate Childers said having a bigger group has made a big difference in their team’s training.

“It’s been super great to have good numbers,” Childers said. “In past springs, we’ve been lower, so you’re limited in what you can do. Now we can really work on technical and tactical things and just grow as a group.”

Minnesota added three new players this spring: junior Hailee Christensen, senior Ava Westlund and freshman Ellen Neuharth. 

Neuharth comes in after a strong high school career, where she was named Ms. Soccer in Class AA in Minnesota and scored 25 goals her senior year. She adds depth to a midfield group that needed it. 

Childers said the team needed more depth in the midfield after losing players in recent years.

“We lost a lot of midfielders the last couple years,” Childers said. “It’s been great to get some new creative players in there.”

Christensen transferred from South Dakota State University, where she started every game last season and helped her team reach the NCAA Tournament. Westlund, a forward from California Baptist University, also brings experience after helping her team win a conference title and make the NCAA Tournament.

Redshirt junior and captain Caroline Birdsell said Westlund has already stood out in training.

“I really love playing with her,” Birdsell said. “She’s really good at holding the ball up, and she’s a great finisher.”

The team has focused on competing against each other in training because there are fewer games during the spring season.

Childers said the level of competition at practice has been high.

“We really have to compete with each other,” Childers said. “The level has been so great at training.”

The larger roster has also allowed the team to play full scrimmages. Birdsell said having more players has made it possible to run full 11-on-11 games in practice. 

Even though it is the offseason, the team is treating each practice like it matters. Birdsell said the team approaches every practice with a game-like mindset.

“The coaches have helped us go into every practice like it’s a fall game,” Birdsell said. “We’re trying to set ourselves up for success.”

The team has worked hard to make the new additions to the team feel comfortable and at home. Childers said the team’s culture helps new players adjust quickly.

“I feel like we do a good job of welcoming people,” Childers said. “We have fun, but we also know how to compete.”

Birdsell said support is especially important to transfers adjusting to a new place. 

“A lot of them are away from home,” Birdsell said. “We try to make sure they feel welcome and know we have their back.”

This spring, the team has focused more on its own play rather than scouting opponents. 

Childers said the team has been working on its defensive and attacking systems. She added the team is trying to build a clear identity before the fall season starts.

“We pride ourselves on being assertive and gritty,” Childers said. 

Birdsell said success this season will come from playing together.

“We want to play as one and have each other’s back,” Birdsell said. “If we do that, it will show on the scoreboard.”

What’s Next

The Gophers will play at home this Saturday against Northern Iowa University.