For the first time in nearly a decade, the University of Minnesota women’s soccer team is ranked in the top 25 of the NSCAA/adidas coaches poll. The Gophers are ranked 23rd in this week’s poll, receiving 112 votes. The Gophers, the top-ranked Big Ten program in the poll, were last ranked the week of Sept. 6, 1999. Penn State (43 points), Purdue (19 points) and Michigan State (10 points) are receiving votes.

The Gophers (14-1-0, 4-1-0) had been receiving votes in the poll for the last several weeks, but broke into the top 25 after a pair of 1-0 home wins over conference-leading Purdue and then-No. 16 Illinois over the weekend. Illinois fell to No. 25 following its loss to the Gophers in St. Paul last weekend.

Minnesota is also pegged in rankings by several other publications this week. The Gophers are ranked 16th nationally by SoccerBuzz, 19th in the country by Soccer America and are tabbed No. 23 by Soccer Times.

Minnesota puts its national ranking to the test this weekend as it travels to take on perennial Big Ten and national power Penn State (9-6-0, 4-1-0) on Friday afternoon for a 3:00 p.m. (CT) match. The Gophers visit 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Ohio State (6-6-2, 3-2-0) on Sunday for a Noon (CT) kickoff.