Minnesota Golden Gophers soccer started off Big Ten play last week and it started with a big win. Thursday saw the Gophers host the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten opener. Tenley Senden scored in a second consecutive match and her single first half goal led the Gophers to a huge win over a ranked opponent. Sunday, Minnesota traveled to Penn State to face the Nittany Lions for their first conference away match of the season. Junior forward Aubrey Kulpa netted a first half goal for PSU to lead Penn State to a tight win and secure their first Big Ten win in 2026
Last Week
Gophers 1–0 #25 Iowa Hawkeyes
The week opened up with a huge win for the Gophers on Thursday night at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul. One first half goal was all that was needed for the Gophers to upset the #25 ranked Hawkeyes. Minnesota got quite a few good chances to score inside the opening 20 minutes. But Iowa goalkeeper Braelynn Galt made it her mission to kill of every chance. She worked wonders all night, but did have a blemish. Gopher forward Tenley Senden was able to break out on her own down the left side and loft a shot over Galt in the 41st minute.
In the second half Minnesota came out more relaxed and playing a more free flowing game. The Gopher broke out a few times, but weren't able to hit the back of goal. With around 20 minutes to play, Iowa's offence took control of the match and forced the Gophers into a much more defensive position. But that change was unable to help get the visitors a second goal.
Gophers 0–1 Penn State Nittany Lions
Heading into Sunday the Gophers had a three match winning streak on their hands that they wanted to protect. Unlike Thursday night against Iowa, that streak was not safe against Penn State. A crowd of just over 1,000 watched the Nittany Lions take down the Gophers, a win that earned PSU its first Big Ten victory in 2026. Aubrey Kulpa put in a 34th minute strike that provided to be the only one of the afternoon.
This Week
Gophers (1-0-1, B1G) vs Northwestern (1-0-1, B1G)
Sunday, 20 September at 1pm
Minnesota has only a single match this week as the Wildcats travel up to St. Paul from Evanston, IL. The Gophers loss to Penn State saw the loss of a three match winning streak, something that Minnesota wants to bounce back from. An afternoon kickoff also could mean a huge crowd at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie for their second Big Ten match of the season.Northwestern on the other hand have struggled out of the gate to a 3-2-4 (W-D-L) start to the season. The Wildcats have just one win over their last four and four losses and a single win against opponents in major conferences, including the Big Ten.
