The Golden Gopher soccer team practiced this morning (Sept. 30) in a cool crisp autumn air outside Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.

Easily the coolest day at practice this season, the team seemed unfazed by the elements, almost embracing them.  Assistant coach Jerrord Roh said early in practice, "When this weather arrives, it just feels like soccer season," and his sentiments were immediately echoed by goalkeeper Katie Roberts.

The team immediately got on to the bus after practice for the four-hour bus ride to Madison. However, not before Sara Clancy and Olivia Bagnall stopped to talk a little about the rivalry with the Badgers. That video can be found below.

The annual "Border Battle" between the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin got under way for the 2009-10 season when the volleyball teams met up last week in the Sports Pavilion. Things got started on the right foot for Minnesota, with the Gopher Volleyball squad claiming a three set sweep (25-15, 25-16, 26-24) for the early lead in the "Border Battle" standings.

The match-up at the pitch will be the second in the year long contest between the two schools, with the football teams also set to play this weekend at TCF Bank stadium.

A side note from the "did-she-really-just-say-that" category came when the team stopped at the grocery store to pick up some drinks and snacks on their way out of town. With the coaches inside getting the few items, a woman saw the bus parked outside and obviously became intrigued.

Unable to quell her curiosity, she same to the bus door and asked where we were from. When the bus driver told her the Twin Cities, she came back with "And you're just bringing them to the grocery store?!?!"

No ma'am, this is not a charter bus grocery store service, and we are not for hire. This is the University of Minnesota Soccer Team, and we are on our way to a game.

The excitement trailed off considerably after our grocery store excursion, and the bus ride was a quiet one with most of the team either sleeping (myself included) or doing homework (definitely not myself included).

The team will practice lightly in the morning before some down time in the afternoon at the game tomorrow evening. Kickoff for the Badgers and Gophers it 7:00 p.m. tomorrow at McClimon Soccer Complex.