Gophers Take MN Gold Classic Title with Win Over U-San Diego

2010 September 6

by Brian Quarstad

The Minnesota Golden Gopher women’s soccer team defeated the University of San Diego on Sunday by a score of 2-1. The win gave Minnesota all 6 points to win the Gold Classic.

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Marquette v UC-Santa Barbara

In the first game of Sunday’s double header, Marquette defeated UC Santa Barbara by a score of 1-0. The lone goal was scored by freshman Maegan Kelly in the 72nd minute. The Golden Eagles improve to 3-2-1 overall, while the Gauchos fall to 3-3-0.

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Minnesota v U San Diego

The Gopher women had more than the task of winning Sunday’s game. They were still dealing with the adversity of losing star senior centerback Jenny Clark with a fractured collar bone. The team was also dealing with playing 5 games in a nine-day span. Minnesota fought through the tired legs and still managed a superior performance.

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Shari Eckstom scored in the 53rd minute with an assist from Molly Rouse. Then in the 70th minute Katie Bethke drove a cross from the right flank that sailed over San Diego keeper Courtney Parsons to the far post where a waiting Rouse headed the ball home from 8 yards out. Brittany Held, who looked dangerous all game, put USD on the board just 9 minutes later. The Toreros pressed the Gophers for the remaining 10 minutes but Minnesota was up to the task and held on for the win.

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Sunday’s effort prompted praise from coach Mikki Denney Wright. “We obviously didn’t play the type of soccer we wanted to all the time but San Diego’s a very good team and they have a number of very dangerous kids,” said Mikki Denney Wright. “I thought we created some really good opportunities. We put 10 of our 14 shots on frame with some really dangerous opportunities and some great finishes. We’ve been on a nine-day stretch where we’ve had five games, and we swept five. To be playing like that in the second half (of the game) when you’ve had five games in nine days shows a lot about our team. I’m very proud of how they’ve responded and how we’ve grown.”

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Indeed the Gophers have “swept five” games and are now 5-1-0 on the season against some very good competition. The Gophers have scored 15 goals and only conceded 4. Earlier this season Minnesota’s head coach had told IMS in a preseason interview that she expected her team to have more scoring prowess this season. On Sunday, Mikki Denney Wright stated that the season, so far, has proven that out: “We are more versatile and can attack in a lot of different ways this year. Our players are a year older and we changed some things around. This is the best year I’ve seen us in the attack in a long time. We have a lot of good weapons which is a lot of fun.”

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“We knew going into this game they were going to be a really good team being they were ranked 15th in the nation,” said Molly Rouse, who picked up an assist and a goal on the day. “Obviously it was the 5th game for us in 9 days so it was a bit of a tiring game but I think we dug it out in the end and I’m really proud of how everyone played.”

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The Gophers will be back in action on the road next weekend with 2 games. They play Bowling Green on the 10th and Toledo on the 12th. Rouse said the team gets Monday off to recuperate but then will be hitting it hard again in practice on Tuesday. “No rest for the weary,” laughed senior midfielder Rouse who was honored with Offensive Most Valuable Player honors in the tournament.

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Minnesota Gold Classic Standings

1. Minnesota (2-0-0, 6 pts.)

2. San Diego (1-1-0, 3 pts.)*

3. Marquette (1-1-0, 3 pts.)

4. UC-Santa Barbara (0-2-0, 0 pts.)

*San Diego wins head-to-head tiebreaker with Marquette

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Minnesota Gold Classic All-Tournament Team

GK- Cat Parkhill (Minnesota)

D- Alyssa Benjamin (UCSB)

D- Katie Hishmeh (Marquette)