Returning home for its final regular season game, the University of Minnesota soccer team hosts the 11th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday afternoon at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. Kick off is set for 1 p.m. CT and can be streamed live on B1G+.
Minnesota (11-3-3, 5-3-2 B1G) vs No. 11 Iowa (13-1-3, 8-1-1 B1G)
Date: Oct. 27
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+
Location: Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium
Scouting the Hawkeyes
Last week No. 11 Iowa picked up two wins over No. 24 Washington and Oregon. Native Minnesotan and freshman Berit Parten scored her seventh goal of the season. Goalkeeper Macy Enneking has started between the pipes all five years for the Hawkeyes. Last week, Enneking broke Iowa’s record with 31.5 career shutouts to become the schools all-time leader.
Postseason Push
Following an undefeated weekend over Maryland and Indiana, the Gophers secured themselves a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. Currently, Minnesota is tied for seventh with Penn State and Ohio State.
Home Turf
At Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, the Maroon and Gold have held an undefeated 6-0-2 record. If Minnesota defeats Iowa, it would be the first undefeated home season for Minnesota since 2008. 16 seasons ago, The Gophers reached the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament. They lost to Notre Dame in overtime, 1-0.
Welcome to My House
Next weekend, the University of Minnesota will be hosting the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Soccer Tournament. Following the results from last week, the 10 teams earned spots with the seedings being finalized following Sunday’s results. Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, UCLA, Washington, and Wisconsin will all compete in the opening and quarterfinal rounds at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
Numbers to Know
0: Minnesota has stayed undefeated at home, posting zero losses on its home turf.
1: Senior Khyah Harper leads the country in goals (17), total points (39), goals per game (1.00 average), and points per game (2.29 average).
4: Four members of the soccer team have seen the field every minute this season. Sarah Martin, Elizabeth Overberg, Jelena Zbiljic and Sophia Boman. Freshman Ashley Thurk is just shy by 11 minutes.
5: Sophomore Paige Kalal has assisted nine goals this season, ranking her fifth in the country and first in the Big Ten.
7: Seven Gophers this season have at least four points on the year. Three have at least 10, while Harper has 39.
Minute by Minute
Graduate captain Sophia Boman has totaled 7,361:32 minutes in her career as a Gopher. Currently, the midfielder has 28 consecutive matches (dating back to last season) that she has competed for a full 90 minutes. The Minnesota native has started all 82 matches since her freshman season and has competed in every game fully except for nine. In total, Boman has only missed 154 minutes on the field.
Spreading the Wealth
12 Gophers have recorded at least one point this season, including all starters except for goalkeeper Sarah Martin. Minnesota’s backline in Overberg, Thurk, and Zbiljic have all recorded an assist while outside back Kate Childers has four points after scoring two goals. Minnesota’s starters on offense each have at least seven points in Evelyn Calhoon, Caroline Birdsell, Sophia Romine, Kalal, Boman, and Harper.
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)