Great Lakes Split: Minnesota Soccer falls to Spartans, tops Michigan

Goldy the Gopher at the University of Minnesota’s “Minnesota Gold Soccer Classic” at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.

The Maroon and Gold made the 630 mile drive to East Lansing to face Michigan State on Friday afternoon. Despite taking eight more shots than their opponent for the second consecutive game, the Gophers were unable to capitalize, falling 0-3 to the Spartans. This was the first conference win for Michigan State  in 364 days.

Minnesota showed an aggressive style on the field despite the outcome; more than half of their roster took a shot on goal. Gopher goalie Tarah Hobbs had nine saves and improved her average per game to roughly five — a conference best.

Finishing their weekend in another conference battle against the University of Michigan, the visiting Gophers earned the victory despite the Wolverines attempting three times as many shots. Minnesota played more efficiently in this game, needing just five shots on goal to score, where as in their previous match versus the Spartans, none of the 12 shots taken on goal capitalized.

Working opposite, Maze and Blue goalie Taylor Bucklin, who boasts the best goals against average in the Big Ten at .50, allowed Minneapolis native Olivia Schultz to score the only goal of the game at the 37:26 mark of the first period. Schultz needed just over half of her total minutes in East Lansing to push the Golden Gophers to the winner’s circle in Ann Arbor. Jenn Larrick assisted her goal. The 1-0 win pushed the Gophers over the .500 mark on the road this season (3-2).

This is the second win over a ranked team for Minnesota this year. They previously defeated No. 25 Ole Miss.

Big Ten play continues for the Golden Gophers as they welcome the Ohio State Buckeyes to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. CT. It will be the first conference home game for Minnesota this season.