The University of Minnesota soccer team is back in action this week to take on crosstown opponent St. Thomas at South Soccer Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT. The game marks the first of three-straight on the road for the Golden Gophers.
Minnesota (1-0-0, 0-0-0 B1G) at St. Thomas (0-0-1, 0-0-0 Summit League)
Date: Aug. 25
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Stream: Summit League Network
Live Stats: z.umn.edu/9pqu
Location: South Soccer Field
Scouting the Tommies
St. Thomas returns 23 players from last season’s squad, including top contributor Mariah Ngyuen who led in goals (5), points (12), and shots on goal (13). In the off season the Tommies added eight newcomers, including former Gopher Sophia Barjesteh.
St. Thomas opened the season last week at home drawing 1-1 with the 2023 Missouri Valley Regular Season Conference Champion, Drake. Senior Abby Brantner scored the lone goal, a penalty kick. Despite the draw, the Tommies led the Bulldogs in shots (16-13), saves (8-3), and corner kicks (8-5).
Last Time Out vs St. Thomas
Minnesota hosted St. Thomas last fall at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium for only the second time in program history. The Gophers downed the Tommies 5-0 highlighted by a hat-trick from Sophia Boman. The game marked the sixth time in program history that Minnesota didn’t allow a single shot on goal or shot by an opposing team. Notably, it was the first time this happened since Minnesota defeated Michigan State at the Big Ten Tournament on Nov. 6, 1997.
Do You Get Deja Vu?
Only two official meetings have occurred between Minnesota and St. Thomas. The crosstown foes met for the first time back in 1993 and once again last fall, both times on the Gophers’ home turf. In 1993 Erin Chastain (Hussey) scored her first career hat-trick. 30 years later, Sophia Boman repeated history and scored her first career hat-trick against St. Thomas.
The Streak Continues
In her fourth season at the helm of the Gopher soccer program, Erin Chastain continued Minnesota’s unbeaten season opener streak. While leading her alma mater, Chastain and her staff have not lost a season opener. Chastain has extended the streak to 12-straight season opening results, which dates back to 2013. In 32 seasons the Gophers lost only eight season openers (19-8-5), four being to top five opponents and one holding a top 20 ranking.
Big Ten Freshman of the Week
After scoring two goals in her first start donning the Maroon and Gold, forward Caroline Birdsell earned Freshman of the Week honors, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.
The weekly award marks Birdsell’s first from the Big Ten. She is the first Gopher to receive the nod since Sophia Boman (March 30, 2020) and first to earn it in a debut since Taylor Uhl (Aug. 22, 2011).
Birdsell, a native of Wilmette, Ill., scored both of Minnesota’s goals against BIG EAST opponent, Creighton, last Thursday. After going down 1-0, Birdsell finished both the game-tying and game-winning goals, less than a minute apart.
Against the Bluejays, Birdsell led the Gophers in goals (2), points (4), shots (4), and shots on goal (3). The redshirt freshman competed for 79 minutes, the most of any Minnesota forward in the 2024 home opener.
Hitting the Road
Minnesota’s games against St. Thomas marks the first of a three-game road trip before returning home on Sept 5. Following Sunday, the Maroon and Gold will trek to Wisconsin for contests against the reigning Horizon League champion, Milwaukee, and their second BIG EAST opponent this season, Marquette.
(info courtesy of Gopher Sports)
