Nov. 7, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's soccer team tried everything it could Friday afternoon, but could not mount enough offense to advance to the final of the Big Ten Tournament. The Boilermakers fell, 1-0, to Minnesota and now await their NCAA Tournament fate.
The Golden Gophers held a wide 17-7 shot advantage, as Purdue only tallied one first half shot. The elements certainly played a major factor, as well, with temperatures holding in the 30s and constant wind, rain and snow.
Sylvia Forbes and Jessica Stellhorn led Purdue's attack with two shots apiece. Jenny Bradfisch notched four saves.
Minnesota's Clare Grimwood knocked in the match's lone goal in the 9th minute. Her shot came from approximately 30 yards out with a strong wind at her back. Bradfisch stretched out for it, but the ball snuck underneath the cross bar for an early 1-0 Golden Gopher lead.
Purdue did not have a serious chance to score until the 76th minute in the second half. Felicia Schroeder fed the ball to a streaking Jessica Stellhorn down the middle of the pitch. Stellhorn ran past the defense and took a shot from 18 yards, but Minnesota goalkeeper Lindsay Dare was there for the save.
Six minutes later, the Boilermakers might have had their best chance to score with a shot from Liz Secue. Kellie Phillips took a corner from the right side of the Minnesota goal, but the ball was nearly cleared out of the box. Secue intercepted the clearance and pulled up from 25 yards, but Dare was there again.
Purdue (12-7-3, 5-3-2) will find out their NCAA Tournament fate when the bracket is announced at 8 p.m. ET on Monday. The seedings will be broadcast on ESPNews.