St. Paul, Minn. - The University of Minnesota soccer team battled for 110:00 minutes tonight (Sept. 4), earning a 0-0 tie with the visiting University of Tennessee. The match was as even throughout as the final score would indicate, and the Golden Gophers record their first tie in almost two years.
The Golden Gophers had been without a tie since Nov. 8, 2007, but tonight's match-up was just too equally played. When it was all said and done, the box score showed a practical mirror image of the two teams. Each squad finished with 19 total shots, and each had three on goal - also coming in the same periods of play. Minnesota held a slight advantage in corner kicks, 6-to-4, while Tennessee was slightly less penalized 8-to-10.
The first half was a defensive struggle, with both managing only two shots in the period, and none on goal. There was a lot of play near midfield early on, as the teams seemed to still be getting a feel for each other. While play did make its way down deep in each offensive end, the defensive units continued to come up big, not allowing any scoring opportunities.
Play opened up in the second half, to the tune of 25 total shots - 12 from Tennessee and 13 from Minnesota. What looked, at the time, like it may have been a turning point in the match began at the 58:52 mark when two players got tangled up and the Tennessee player eventually received a red card and was ejected. Not three minutes later the Volunteer coach also received a red card and was also forced to leave the match.
Minnesota tried to capitalize on the missing Tennessee player, but despite the barrage of shots they put on in the period, they struggled to get a clean shot on the net. When they would, they were swooped up quickly by Volunteer goalkeeper Molly Baird. Tamara Strahota (Burnsville, Minn.) and Marissa Price (Apple Valley, Minn.) did their best to provide excitement, and get the Golden Gophers on the board in the period.
Twice the pair had beautiful crossing passes in front of the net to each other, but each time were unable to finish with a goal. The first time saw Strahota over step the pass from Price and never get the shot off, and the second time Price came sliding in under speed chasing a pass from Strahota, but the keeper was there to get the ball only a step sooner.
The best chance for the Golden Gophers came with just over 11 minutes remaining in regulation. Katie Bethke (Eau Claire, Wis.) put a great move on the Tennessee goalkeeper, side-stepping her and breaking free in front of the open net. As Behtke raced closer to the front and right side of the net, once she got her shot off, it missed just wide, landing on the outside of the net, just inches off the post.
Moments later, Bethke again controlled the ball in front of the net, this time with a defender in her face but again got off a shot. Again, however, she had the same result, missing just wide right.
In the first overtime, play reverted back similar to the opening half, very defensive with the play mostly at midfield. In the second overtime, the teams again got their shots and each goalkeeper game up with one save to preserve the 0-0 tie.
Nov. 8, 2007 was the last time the Golden Gophers played to a tie, eventually losing on a shooting in the Big Ten Tournament opening round. With the Tournament played at the Robbie, that same match was also the last time Minnesota was not victorious in a match played at home. Tonight's tie breaks a streak of 13 straight wins at home for the Golden Gophers.
Goalkeeper Cat Parkhill (Apple Valley, Minn.) finished with a career high three saves on the way to her third career shutout. Bethke and Strahota each led the team with four total shots while the Volunteers Mick Imgram recorded a match high six shots.
Minnesota returns to Robbie Stadium on Sunday Sept. 6, looking to get back in the win column when they take on North Dakota State in a 2:00 p.m. tilt. The Bison enter the match with a 2-1-1 record and have won two straight.
Courtesy: University of Minnesota
