Heading into the final week of the regular season the eighth and final spot in the Big Ten playoffs is still up for grabs. The Gophers sit in 10th place and need a win on Friday along with quite a bit else to go right. But the chance to make the playoffs as the eighth seed is still there for the maroon and gold. A draw on Thursday against #12 Washington showed the Gophers can truly compete with the best. That was followed up with a crushing win on Sunday as they dominated the Oregon Ducks to close out their home schedule.
Week 12
Gophers 1 – 1 Washington (#12)
Thursday night the University of Minnesota hosted the #12 Washington Huskies in the Gophers penultimate home match of the season. Washington had already wrapped up a spot into the Big Ten playoffs, while the Gophers came in still hunting for their chance. The opening forty-five minutes were tightly fought between the Huskies and Gophers, with neither team dominating the other. But three minutes into the second half Washington's Angelica Chou put the visitors on the board first. Minnesota answered back 20 minutes later with Ellen Neuharth scoring her fourth goal of the season to level the match and force a draw.
Gophers 4 – 0 Oregon
Sunday was a completely different story for the Golden Gophers. They were clearly the better team from the opening whistle to the closing one and showed it early. Caroline Birdsell tallied her third goal of the season just nine minutes into the match. Ava Westlund added a second goal just 10 minutes later, putting Minnesota up 2–0 inside 20 minutes. Oregon's defence tightened up in the second half and had a well played half, coming close to scoring on Sarah Martin a few times. But Ava Westlund notched a brace and her 8th goal of the season in the 80th minute. As the final seconds ticked away the Oregon Ducks goalkeeper was called for a foul inside the box, sending Minnesota to the penalty spot in the 90th minute. Keegan Schmeiser converted from the spot on what was the last meaningful play of the match to secure a massive 4–0 win over the Ducks.
This Week
Gophers at Illinois
This week the Gophers head to Illinois for a meeting with the Illini and 2026 Minnesota Aurora assistant coach Eric Rossitch. Illinois have already been eliminated from post season contention and will not make the Big Ten playoffs. With a 5-7-5 (W-L-D) record on the season Friday night will almost certainly be Illinois last of the season as they are well outside the NCAA tournament bubble. Minnesota has to win at Illinois or they will not make the Big Ten playoffs. But the Gophers also need Ohio State to defeat Michigan and Iowa to lose at home against Wisconsin to make the eight team playoff field.
