Led by a brace from Mariah Nguyen, the University of Minnesota women’s soccer team (2-1-0, 0-0-0 B1G) shut out Northern Illinois (1-2-1, 0-0-0 MAC) with a 4-0 victory Sunday afternoon at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in front of 605 fans.
Nguyen led the Golden Gophers with two goals, while Davy Mokelke and Sawyer Danielson each added one. Tenley Senden recorded five shots, including two on goal, and Caroline Birdsell added four shots with one on target.
Goalkeeper Sarah Martin earned her second shutout of the season.
Nguyen opened the scoring in the 27th minute. After Birdsell’s shot was deflected by a Huskie defender, Nguyen capitalized on the loose ball at the back post to put Minnesota up 1-0.
Nguyen struck again 11 minutes later. She connected on a long ball from Kate Childers, heading it into the net to double the Gophers’ lead.
In the 61st minute, Senden made a run down the left sideline and fired a shot that was pushed aside by the NIU goalkeeper. Danielson was in position to finish the deflection, scoring the first goal of her collegiate career.
Mokelke capped the scoring in the 74th minute. After a header from Avery Petty deflected off a defender, the redshirt freshman collected the ball and found the back of the net to seal the 4-0 win
Minnesota returns to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 28. Kick off is set for 12 p.m. CT
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
