Gophers women’s soccer played the Wisconsin Badgers, University of Southern California (USC) and UCLA recently, with two losses and a draw bringing the team to an 8-2-2 overall record.
The Badgers handed the Gophers their first loss this season and extended their border battle winning streak to 11 on Sept. 22. Both USC and UCLA are currently tied for first place in the Big Ten, while Minnesota fell to a 2-2-1 conference record.
The last time the Gophers beat Wisconsin was in 2013 when the Gophers scored in double overtime.
The Gophers could not find their usual explosive attack on Sept. 22 and finished the game with only two shots on goal, despite taking 10 more shots than the Badgers.
The Badgers scored in the 15th minute and forced Minnesota to play keep-up for the rest of the game. Senior forward Khyah Harper led the team with five shots.
Harper talked about the team’s motivation at the beginning of conference play in an interview on Sept. 17.
“We love the competitive side. We love that games are closer,” Harper said. “Everyone wants to win those games, and we know every game counts.”
After the loss to Wisconsin, the Gophers flew to Los Angeles to play two of the four new Big Ten schools.
Minnesota drew 2-2 against USC after second-half goals from Harper and fifth-year Sophia Boman. The Gophers allowed goals in the first and 22nd minutes.
“I think it was a great response to a couple of bad moments,” head coach Erin Chastain said. “The second half was really good from our group.”
Minnesota was not as aggressive as usual, taking only six total shots, but the defense held the USC Trojans to only three.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Martin allowed two goals and saved one.
After the draw, Boman said the preparation for UCLA after drawing against then-ranked No. 24 USC is the same as any other game.
“We focus on the next game and learn from this game,” Boman said. “Not worrying too much about the name of the opponents, just showing up ready to play.”
After the Gophers’ draw against USC, they lost to UCLA 3-1 on Sunday.
A UCLA goal 33 minutes into the game put the Bruins ahead, then sophomore Kate Childers evened the game with a goal of her own. She became the fifth Gopher to find the back of the net this season.
Two late UCLA goals gave the Bruins the win.
The Gophers were dominated by the Bruins aggressiveness. UCLA doubled the Gophers shot attempts (17-9) and had five times as many shots on goal (10-2).
The only other Gopher to get a shot on goal against UCLA was senior Sophia Romine.
Harper extended her points and goals lead in the Big Ten, moving to 29 points and 13 goals. She is tied for first in the nation in goals and is second in points.
The Gophers play two top-10 teams after their match against Northwestern on Friday. Minnesota will head to Columbus, Ohio, to play Ohio State then University Park, Pennsylvania, to play Penn State.