MINNEAPOLIS – Backed by 1,219 spectators, the Golden Gophers rallied from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Illinois 3-1 for the first Big Ten Conference win at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Minnesota improved to 5-4-4 overall and 1-3-2 in Big Ten play following the victory.
How it Happened
Illinois started the scoring when Lia Howard scored in the third minute, assisted by Ella Karolak.
The Gophers leveled the game on a goal from Izzy Brown — her fourth goal of the season — in the 15th minute, assisted by Megan Nemec.
Minnesota went up 2-1 on Sophia Romine’s 27th-minute goal, her fifth of the season. Nemec assisted the goal.
The Gophers took a 3-1 lead with an 86th-minute goal from Romine, her fifth goal of the season. Nemec assisted the goal. The score finished the 3-1 match.
Game Notes
- 1,219 people attended the game, Minnesota’s highest attendance number this season.
- Sophia Romine finished her third career brace. Romine scored twice against North Dakota (Sept. 4) and Purdue (Oct. 20) last season.
- Megan Nemec assisted all three Gopher goals. That marks the most assists in a single game since April Bockin vs. Michigan State on Sept. 24, 2017.
- Megan Plaschko collected four saves for the Golden Gophers out of nine total Fighting Illini shots.
- Minnesota recorded nine shots on goal.
Quotes
“We’re happy with the game and we’re going to celebrate it,” said head coach Erin Chastain. “We’ve been working really hard, and the goals haven’t been coming. Most importantly, we created chances and executed on several of them. I’m proud of the group, and the resilience to believe, tie it and come back and get another before half. There were some great performances overall. We’re going to take it and get ready for a really good Ohio State team on Thursday.”
Up Next
Minnesota stays home through next weekend as the Golden Gophers host Ohio State on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT and Nebraska on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
