Senior forward Lindsey Schwartz netted the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute to give the Gophers (7-0-0) to a 2-1 victory over Nevada (0-5-1) at Mackey Field in Reno. The win for Minnesota was its seventh straight to start the 2008 season.
Schwartz’ goal came less than three minutes after a goal by Nevada’s Erin Smith tied the match at one goal apiece. Molly Rouse assisted on the Gophers’ final goal, tallying her sixth assist of the young season.
The Gophers responded immediately after the Wolfpack goal, picking up their tempo and creating two significant scoring chances. Schwartz’ goal came on the second of those chances when Rouse sent a patented arching cross from the right corner toward the back post. Schwartz drilled a header into the back of the net to help the Gophers extend their season-long winning streak to seven games, the third-longest in school history.
The goal by Schwartz was her fourth of the season and her third game-winner. Schwartz also notched a late game-winner in the Gophers’ 2-1 win over Montana (Aug. 24) when she scored in the 85th minute.
“I was very proud of the way the team responded after the [Nevada] goal,” Minnesota head coach Mikki Denney Wright said. “It was clear that our girls ratcheted up their level of play, and that was great to see. If we’re going to be successful this season, responding to some adversity is going to be important. After their goal, I think we did that.”
Reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Jennie Clark got the scoring started when she scored her second goal in as many games at the 36:10 mark. After a Minnesota corner kick, Clark collected the ball after a brief scrum in front of the Nevada goal and converted to give the Gophers a 1-0 lead. Clark’s two goals in her last two games are the first two of the sophomore defender’s career.
The Gophers will spend the rest of the weekend in Reno and will return to action on Sunday, when they will take on Idaho (1-3-0) back at Mackay Stadium in a 1:00 (CT) start.
