In front of its largest home crowd since 2022, the University of Minnesota soccer team came from behind and defeated the 11th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The Gophers (12-3-3, 6-3-2) played in front of a season-best 1,435 fans as they closed out the regular season. Iowa dropped to 13-2-3 overall and 8-2-1 in Big Ten play.
With the win, Minnesota held its first undefeated regular home season since 2008. Sixteen seasons ago, the Maroon and Gold went 12-0 at home, a year the team also reached the NCAA Sweet 16. With the win against the No. 11 Hawkeyes, it marked the first time in program history the Gophers earned two top-15 victories in a single season.
Sophomore Paige Kalal scored the game-tying goal, followed by graduate Sophia Boman with the game winner. Senior Khyah Harper assisted Kalal, while redshirt freshman Caroline Birdsell drew the foul in the box that led to Boman converting the penalty kick to a goal.
The Hawkeyes came out hot right away, scoring 40 seconds into the game. Sofia Bush crossed a ball to Madison Wilson to give Iowa an early lead.
Minnesota responded, as Harper cruised down the right sideline to get into Iowa’s final third. The forward crossed the ball to Kalal who struck the ball to tie the match. The Big Ten rivals went into the locker room tied, 1-1 at the half.
After an even game in the midfield, it would be Birdsell who drew the foul in Iowa’s box during the 65th minute of play. Boman stepped up and finished to hand Minnesota the 2-1 win with her fifth goal of the season.
Minnesota will host the opening and quarterfinal rounds of the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Soccer Tournament, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The top 10 teams from the Big Ten will earn a berth to the conference tournament. Seedings and games will be finalized at the conclusion of today’s matches.
The semifinal and final match will be hosted by CITYPARK Stadium in St. Louis, Mo., from Nov. 7-10.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
