ST. PAUL, Minn. – Northwestern and Minnesota played to a 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. After falling behind early, the Wildcats netted a goal in each half to secure a point on the road.
Following an early Golden Gopher goal, senior forward Megan Norkett tallied the equalizer in the 30th minute, and junior defender Olivia Elliott bagged her first career goal in the 51st minute to put the Wildcats (3-4-3, 1-1-1 Big Ten) ahead. Minnesota (5-2-2, 1-1-1 Big Ten) was awarded a penalty kick after video review in the 87th minute and converted from the spot to knot the game at two.
The Gophers went ahead early, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute. Freshman midfielder Ellen Neuharth forced a takeaway and linked up with senior forward Ava Westlund before Westlund played back to Neuharth, who slotted home the opening goal.
The Wildcats responded just 11 minutes later, netting the equalizer in the 30th minute. Senior forward Sarah O’Donnell split a pair of Gopher defenders and curled a shot off the crossbar. The rebound fell to Norkett, who made no mistake, burying the equalizer. Norkett’s goal is her first of the season and 10th of her career. O’Donnell’s helper marks her second of the season.
Minnesota headed into the break with an 11-5 edge in shots, but NU held a 4-2 advantage in shots on target.
