All Things 2012 Gophers Soccer Season Thread

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GopherSports: Gopher Soccer Season Outlook

The University of Minnesota women's soccer team, who is celebrating its 20th year anniversary this fall, is embarking on unfamiliar waters as the head coaching reigns switch hands from Mikki Denney Wright, who resigned to devote more time to her family, to former Army head coach Stefanie Golan. Despite the coaching change, the Golden Gophers are poised for a big year with nine starters returning along with the return of fifth-year senior Tamara Strahota, who sat out all of the 2011 season due to a leg injury.

Golan, who was named head coach on June 27, spent the past three seasons as the head coach at Army, where she led the program to a 33-18-10 overall record and guided them to their second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011. The St. Louis, Mo. native has proven to be a defensive mastermind as a head coach, with the Black Knights recording 38 total shutouts the past three seasons. Army has also ranked Top 10 in the NCAA the past two years in shutout percentage, goals against average and save percentage.

The first-year coach will have much to work with as she inherits an experienced squad that went 9-10-2 last fall. From that 2011 team, 13 letterwinners return to the roster, including nine starters. Accompanying those 13 returners will be six talented freshmen and former Gopher basketball standout Jackie Voigt, who exhausted her eligibility on the hardwood but has signed up to play goalkeeper this fall.

Possibly the most notable returner is sophomore Taylor Uhl, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a second team, All-Freshman team member by Soccer America. Uhl had an outstanding freshman campaign as she tallied 15 goals and four assists. The Eden Prairie, Minn. native also recorded two hat tricks during the 2011 season.

Other notable players are defender Tamara Strahota and goalkeeper Cat Parkhill. Both are coming off leg injuries and are expected to play huge roles in helping the Gophers improve on last season's 9-10-2 record. Strahota, who sat out last fall, notched 17 points in 2010 and looks to reach those same marks in 2012. Parkhill has been labeled as one of the top goalies in the country with having a career goal-against average of 0.93 and posting 20 shutouts in her three years as a Gopher. After battling injuries most of 2011, the redshirt senior hopes to anchor the Gopher defense and showcase her best season yet.

The experience on this year's roster is much needed as the Maroon & Gold prepare for arguably their toughest schedule in program history. The Golden Gophers schedule features 12 home games, which is the most regular-season home games in program history, and seven road tests. Minnesota will face a total of five opponents that reached the NCAA Tournament last season.

The Golden Gophers kickoff the 2012 season on August 17 at 7 p.m. as they welcome NCAA College Cup participant Florida State to Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The Friday nightcap will be followed with a Sunday afternoon match at ELR Stadium against Southeastern Conference Champion, South Carolina.

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/081312aaa.html

Go Gophers!!

MN Daily: Gophers soccer ranks eighth in Big Ten preseason poll

http://www.mndaily.com/2012/08/14/gophers-soccer-ranks-eighth-big-ten-preseason-poll

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Gophers Open 2012 Season Against Ranked Opponents

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/081512aaa.html

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Helverson Propels Minnesota Over No. 24 South Carolina

Stefanie Golan receives her first victory as the Golden Gophers' head coach.


Go Gophers!!

I took my daughter to her first Gopher soccer game. That was a bizarre goal to end the first half for SC. Maybe they got a little complacent with time running down, but the goalie misplayed the ball, and it dribbled to the net, very slowly rolling in with one second remaining in the half. But the Gophers pulled it out in OT. It was my first Gophers soccer game too. The stadium is nice, but parking is limited.

Best headline from yesterday's women's soccer win:

GOPHER HOLE: After taking lead, USC falls to Minnesota 4-1

http://www.lasoccernews.com/college/usc2.php?article_id=9032

Go Gophers!!

CBS: Gophers Basketballer Joins U’s Soccer Team

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/08/27/gophers-basketballer-joins-us-soccer-team/

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http://www.ncaa.com/stats/soccer-women/d1/current/individual/52/p1

Taylor Uhl, last year's Big Ten Freshman of the Year, currently leads the nation in scoring. (typo on that page, she's a sophomore.)

Big Ten season starts this weekend, Gophers have a bye Friday and play at Ohio State on Sunday. Should be a tight Big Ten race for spots 2-12, Penn State looks pretty well positioned to win their, I think 15th straight conference title.

STrib: U soccer coach enjoying the ride

http://www.startribune.com/sports/g...utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&refer=y

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GopherSports: No. 4 Minnesota To Battle No. 5 Illinois in Big Ten Tournament First Round
Gophers take on Illini at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/103012aaf.html

Go Gophers!!