Picking up its first top ten victory since 2015, the University of Minnesota soccer team defeated No. 8 Ohio State, 3-2, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on Thursday evening. The Golden Gophers (9-2-3, 3-2-2 B1G) hand the eighth-ranked Buckeyes (9-2-3, 4-1-2 B1G) their first conference and home loss of the year.

Offensively, Minnesota was led by senior Khyah Harper who finished her 14th and 15th goals of 2024. Harper has now tallied five multi-goal games this season and is the nation’s stand alone goals leader.

Sophomore Kate Childers finished her second career goal of the evening in the second half. Evelyn Calhoon and Paige Kalal also grabbed a point each, assisting Harper’s first and Childers’ goals, respectively.

In 2015 Minnesota defeated No. 4 Penn State, 1-0. Tonight’s win also marks the first top 25 win in five seasons, when the Gophers beat No. 14 NC State, 1-0.

Harper got the scoring started 18 minutes into the match. Calhoon delivered a ball down the right sideline to Harper’s feet to finish.

It would be Harper again to score in the 36th minute. After a ball was sent down from the back line, Harper received it and took a shot that was blocked by the Buckeyes’ keeper. Harper collected the rebound to find the back of the net.

Minnesota ended the first half ahead of No. 8 Ohio State, 2-0.

The Gophers extended their lead by a third goal in the 57th minute. Childers finished her second goal of the season off a cross from Kalal

Three minutes later, Ohio State would cut down Minnesota’s lead. A Buckeyes team goal came in the 60th minute followed by another in the 64th by forward Kailyn Dudukovich.

Despite the late Buckeyes’ goals, Minnesota held onto their lead to grab the 3-2 win.

(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)

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