The Gophers women’s soccer team faced off against Illinois and Michigan to begin conference play, defeating both of them and moving to 8-0-1 on the season.
Through two games, the newly expanded Big Ten conference is currently in a five-way tie for first place with Minnesota, Michigan State, Penn State, Rutgers, UCLA and University of Southern California (USC), all at 2-0.
The Gophers conference slate will not get any easier after playing Michigan.
Minnesota hits the road next where they will play Wisconsin, whom they have not beaten since 2013. After, they will travel to the West Coast to play USC and UCLA, two teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season.
Gophers forward Khyah Harper is the nation’s second-leading goal scorer. She said she has no fear of the new Big Ten opponents.
“We’re so excited!” Harper said. “It’s going to be different competition, but we are really excited to face them.”
Last season, the Gophers finished Big Ten play 3-5-2. They scored 10 goals while giving up 14.
Through two conference games this season, the Gophers scored four goals and allowed zero.
The Gophers were led by Harper on Thursday against Michigan. The senior scored her third hat-trick of the season. Harper did not do everything herself though, as sophomore Paige Kalal, freshman Caroline Birdsell and fifth-year Sophia Romine all assisted Harper.
Michigan has been floating around a .500 win record over the last six years. They are now 1-7-1.
After beating the Wolverines, Gophers head coach Erin Chastain picked up her 150th win as a head coach. Heading into the game, Chastain knew not to treat the Wolverines lightly.
“They’ve played a very challenging schedule, so we feel like they’re better than their record shows,” Chastain said. “We also know every Big Ten game is a battle.”
Chastain added the Gophers main approach to preparation has been watching film on themselves.
Harper said they find what they are doing well and focus on it, but they also find what they are struggling with.
Fifth-year captain Sophia Boman was the team’s hero against Illinois on Sept. 12. After Illinois committed a penalty, Boman stepped into the box and scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute.
“I knew I had it in me, I just had to execute,” Boman said. “When it went in I was like, ‘WOOO!’”
The Gophers were aggressive against Illinois but were not able to get any goals to fall besides Boman’s penalty. The Gopher defense stepped up to only allow three shots on goal.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Martin adapted well to being in front of the net as the team’s starting goalie.
In her last five games, Martin allowed one goal with 17 saves and upped her save percentage to over 80%. After beating Michigan, she picked up her third straight shutout game.
Chastain said she thinks Martin made the plays “she should make,” and looks great through nine games.
The Gophers return to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Oct. 4 where they play Northwestern, but then face off against two top-seven ranked teams on the road, Ohio State and Penn State.