The University of Minnesota soccer team upset 15th-ranked Penn State on Nov. 4 to claim the Big Ten Tournament title and gain an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The No. 7-seed Gophers (11-8-2) downed the defending tournament champion Nittany Lions (15-5-1) on penalty kicks (5-4) after a scoreless match and overtime periods. Minnesota outshot Penn State 8-4 and garnered its second Big Ten Tournament title in three seasons.
"I love this group," said Head Coach Stefanie Golan. "Our senior group is one that logs a lot of minutes and they are super invested. The younger players are stepping up and helping them with that."
Senior forward April Bockin was named Offensive Most Outstanding Player, scoring all three of Minnesota's tournament goals along and connecting on a penalty kick in the final. Sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Nielsen was named Defensive Most Outstanding Player of the tournament while pitching three straight shutouts in the tournament. Senior midfielder Emily Heslin was also named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.
The Gophers will face Auburn on the road in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. It's their third appearance in the tourney in the last four years and 13th overall.
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