The University of Minnesota soccer team (8-0-1, 2-0-0 B1G) was victorious over the Michigan Wolverines (1-7-1, 0-2-0 B1G) 3-0 on Thursday night at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. This is the Golden Gophers first win over the Wolverines since 2018.
The win also marks Erin Chastain’s 150th career win as a head coach. Chastain is a Minnesota soccer alumni and began her head coaching career at DePaul in 2007.
Minnesota was led by senior forward Khyah Harper, who finished her third hat trick of the season. Harper now leads the country in goals (12), surpassing California’s Karlie Lema (11). Paige Kalal, Sophia Romine, and Caroline Birdsell all assisted Harper.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Martin collected her third consecutive shutout and fourth in the last five games. Martin has made 17 saves in Minnesota’s last five matches.
Harper’s first goal of the night came early in the third minute. Kalal and Birdsell wasted no time setting her up to finish her fifth game-winning goal, tying her for second in the nation with Kailyn Dudukovich from Ohio State.
Six minutes into the second half, Harper cruised down the field and blocked a clearance attempt from the Michigan keeper. She possessed the ball and finished her second of the night in the 51st minute unassisted.
The Lino Lakes, Minn., native finished the hat trick off an assist from Romine. Romine cleared the ball from the Minnesota defensive half to Harper on Michigan’s side. Harper dribbled into the 18 yard box and sent her third goal past the keeper.
The Gophers hit the road this weekend to face Border Battle rival Wisconsin on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT in Madison.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
