Closing out the home season with a draw against Washington and win over Oregon had the Gophers looking good heading into the final match of the season. A spot in the Big Ten Tournament was still on the line and could be taken with a win. But Illinois had different plans and hammered the Gophers in Champaign to close out the 2026 regular season. While the season for Illinois is now almost certainly over, the Gophers have a faint glimmer of hope they could make the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer tournament.
Week 13
Illinois 4 – 1 Gophers
Already eliminated from tournament contention themselves, the best Illinois could do last week was play spoiler. And play spoiler they did, handing the Gophers a crushing defeat to close the 2026 regular season. The first half of football was relatively even as it would be (statistically at least) for the whole match. 55 minutes in to the match Illinois' Hedda Ornberg scored the hosts first goal. Minutes later senior forward Ava Westlund struck a goal home from the penalty spot to even the match.
Ten minutes after Westlund's penalty Illinois scored a second goal off the boot of Cayla Jackson. It was at that point the wheels started falling off for Minnesota. They wouldn't totally come off until past the 85th minute when Illinois scored two goals in three minutes. First was an 87th minute goal Cayla Jackson, giving herself a brace, which was followed up by an 89th minute strike from Alyssa White.
Post-Season
Big Ten Playoffs?
Minnesota's loss last weekend eliminated the Gophers from Big Ten tournament contention. The tenth place finish in the Big Ten is a huge improvement from last seasons 15th place finish in the conference. Gopher soccer last made the conference tournament in 2024 when they finished in seventh place in the Big Ten. The improvement could be hurt though as the Gophers are set to lose some key players next season due to graduation.
NCAA Tournament Bid?
As for an NCAA tournament bid, the reality is even after missing the conference tournament the Gophers are still on the bubble. With their RPI at #70 (of 349) there is a real possibility that Minnesota could end up with a lower seed in the national tournament. However a lot of that will depend on results outside the Big Ten as the more teams with lower RPI's that make the field means a lower and lower chance for Minnesota to head into the NCAA tournament. Selection day for the tournament is Monday, 16 November and the first round will begin on Friday, 20 November.
