(Gopher Sports.com) — The University of Minnesota will host its annual senior night at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium when they host No. 19 Ohio State University. The Gophers will kick off against the Buckeyes at 6:00 p.m.
SCOUTING THE BUCKEYES
The Buckeyes come in with an overall record of 12-3-1. They have scored 30 goals this season, led by Sammy Edwards who has scored seven goals and Eleanor Gabriel who has scored six goals. Ohio State is also currently in the lead in the Big Ten with 21 points, just one ahead of Penn State and two ahead of Minnesota. The Buckeyes have also allowed just seven goals this season, which is second fewest in the Big Ten. Their goalkeeper, Devon Kerr, has started all 16 games and has a goals against average of 0.45 and has made 41 saves. Kerr also has registered nine shutouts this season, and has a save percentage of 85.4 percent.
LAST TIME OUT — ILLINOIS
A second half surge helped the Golden Gophers secure a victory over the Fighting Illini of Illinois. The Gophers scored three goals within nine minutes in the second half to extend a 1-0 lead to a 4-0 lead with just over three minutes remaining. April Bockin scored the game-winning goal in the first half off an assist from Molly Fiedler. Emily Heslin was once again putting her long-range skills to the test with the second goal of the game to put breathing room between the Gophers and the Illini.
“The conditions today made the game pretty tough, 20 mph winds make it tough,” head coach Stefanie Golan said. “Being able to score early in the game helped us because we know Illinois has given some teams some trouble this season, so to be able to come out on top 4-0 is a good feeling.”
SENIOR NIGHT
The Gophers roster holds six seniors that will be honored on Friday during the Gophers annual senior night. The 2017 class has been a part of 49 wins, 26 of those in the Big Ten. The winning percentage of the 2017 class is at 66.5 percent, which is the highest since the 2011 senior class. The class will combine to have played 402 games when the Ohio State game begins.
HEAT CHECK
April Bockin has been on a tear as of late. Bockin has now registered a point in seven of the last eight games, and in all Big Ten games this season but two. Bockin’s 12 assists put her two above anyone else in the nation. She is currently tied for third most in a single-season in Minnesota soccer history.
MAKING THE EXTRA PASS
This season the Gophers have led the way in the Big Ten in total assists with 43, which is 11 more than any other team in the Big Ten. The 43 total assists also puts the team at No. 5 in the NCAA in assists.
HEAD COACH TALKS
MNN Sports Director Mike Grimm sat down with head coach Stephanie Golan to discuss tonight’s match: