Molly Rouse scored the game-winning goal in the first overtime session to give the University of Minnesota women’s soccer team (8-0-0) a 1-0 victory over Idaho (1-5-0) on Sunday afternoon in Reno, Nev.

Rouse scored the goal with a header in the 96th minute off a cross from teammate Julie Rezac.

The Idaho effort was buoyed by goalkeeper Anna Sandman, who recorded 10 saves many of them of the highlight reel variety before Rouse’s header ended the game during the extra session.

“Idaho came out with a game plan to put a lot of players behind the ball and to make it difficult for us to score and they followed through with that game plan,” Minnesota head coach Mikki Denney Wright said. “I’m proud of the way our kids played out here this weekend and the way they responded. It was clear that Idaho was content to defend and I’m proud of the way our kids attacked and found a way to win.”

Minnesota controlled play throughout the contest and put 11 of its 18 shots (61.1%) on goal to challenge Sandman throughout the match. Rouse and teammate Katie Bethke each put three shots on goal to lead the Minnesota attack.

The Gophers return to the Twin Cities where they will host the Minnesota Gold Classic at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium next weekend. Minnesota will take on Brown University (2-1-1) Friday night before meeting Boston University (4-3-0) on Sunday afternoon. Friday’s 7:00 match against Brown can be viewed live in the Gold Zone at gophersports.com.

Both of Minnesota’s upcoming opponents come to the Twin Cities with momentum. The Gophers’ Friday opponent, Brown, batted No. 1 UCLA to a 0-0 tie Sunday afternoon and beat No. 11 Penn State 1-0 in overtime on Friday evening. Minnesota’s Sunday afternoon opponent, Boston University, comes off consecutive 1-0 victories over Wisconsin and Northeastern this weekend.

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