Sunday afternoon in St. Paul was Pink Day at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul. But it was all maroon and gold from the outset as Minnesota dominated the Ducks from whistle to whistle. Two early first half goals and two second half goals handed the Gophers their eighth win of the season and fourth in Big Ten play.
After a draw against #12 Washington Huskies in their last meeting, Minnesota head coach Erin Chastain retained most of her lineup. Only one change was made with Ava Westlund going into the starting eleven in place of Katelyn Rigg. Oregon made three changes to their eleven with Giselle White and Lauren Kenny getting their first starts of the 2026 season.
One change from Erin Chastain for the #Gophers this afternoon. Ava Westlund comes into the starting eleven replacing Katelyn Rigg. Three changes for the Oregon Ducks from head coach Tracy Joyner
— Northland Soccer Journal (@northlandsoccer.com) 2026-10-25T17:57:09.011Z
Hosting a struggling Oregon Ducks side and with their playoff hopes on the line the Gophers came out firing on all cylinders. Just nine minutes into the match the Gophers scored the opening goal of the afternoon. From near the top of the penalty arc Katie Krohn slipped a short pass into the box to Caroline Birdsell. Birdsell took the shot on first touch and sent a low shot to the right of the keeper to put Minnesota up early.
Caroline Birdsell's 9th minute goal for the Minnesota Golden Gophers
Ten minutes later Minnesota added a second tally to the scoreboard, this time thanks to Ava Westlund. As the Ducks tried to clear the ball out of their defensive third, Kate Childers sent a pass towards the box that Ava Westlund was able to pick up. Westlund took her shot from behind the penalty arc and hit the same corner of the net as Birdsell to double the Gophers lead.
Ava Westlund's 19th minute goal for the Minnesota Golden Gophers
Two minutes after the Gopher goal the maroon and gold shut down Oregon from putting a goal of their own on the board. Sarah Martin saved the first shot sent at her and then the Gophers blocked and cleared the second shot. Oregon had a few more shots in the half but didn't come close to scoring during the remainder of the half. Minnesota on the other hand nearly tallied a third goal after a shot from Katelyn Rigg's shot missed just wide of goal.
The second half for the Golden Gophers proved to me more akin to the final part of the first half than the early portion of the match. Near the hour mark the Gophers had two instances in three minutes of a shot cracking the post. In the 73rd minute Ava Westlund came close to adding a tally for Minnesota, but her shot missed just wide of goal. Seven minutes later Westlund finally got the Gophers their third goal of the afternoon.
Westlund lobbed a shot from 30 yards out over the head of Oregon keeper Gray Wilson to put Minnesota up 3–0 and give the Gophers their first goal since the 19th minute of the match.
Ava Westlund's 80th minute goal for the Minnesota Golden Gophers
After Westlund's goal the Gophers slowed the pace of the match down to force the Ducks to chase after the ball as the hosts wound down the clock. Oregon had pushed hard and even put more shots on target than Minnesota in the second half of the match. But for Sarah Martin was there everytime the Gophers needed her and the maroon and gold held out to close down a big 3–0 win to end their home schedule.
Minnesota soccer now has just a single match left in the regular season, which is another must win contest for the Gophers. Next Friday they'll head to Champaign, IL to face the Illinois Fighting Illini to close out the 2026 regular season. A win could potentially put the Gophers into the Big Ten tournament and will boost their chances at an NCAA tournament bid. 2026 Minnesota Aurora assistant Eric Rossitch will be on the sideline for that one as he joined the University of Illinois staff following the end of the summer season.
