Michigan
5-2-0, 1-0-0Big Ten
Minnesota
3-4-0, 0-1-0Big Ten
Timko's OT Heroics Lift U-M over Minnesota in B1G Opener
9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 2, Minnesota 1 (OT)
Records: U-M (5-2, 1-0 Big Ten), MINN (3-4, 0-1 Big Ten)
Attendance: 619
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Sept. 14 -- vs. Wisconsin (U-M Soccer Stadium), 2 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Freshman Taylor Timko (Rochester Hills, Mich./Pontiac Notre Dame Prep) scored the game-winning goal on a free kick from 25 yards out to lift the University of Michigan women's soccer team past Minnesota in overtime of the two teams' Big Ten opener on Friday (Sept. 12) at U-M Soccer Stadium.
Taylor Timko
A Minnesota foul in the fourth minute of the first sudden-victory overtime period gave Michigan a free kick on the right side of the field from 25 yards out. Timko stepped up to the ball and put a shot on target that found the back of the net in the upper left 90 to give U-M the victory.
For the second straight game, sophomore/freshman Ani Sarkisian (Cresskill, N.J./Cresskill/Florida State) gave Michigan an early 1-0 lead in the first 12 minutes. Sophomore Madisson Lewis (Canton, Mich./Plymouth) carried the ball to the left touch line and slipped a ball through to Sarkisian, whose initial shot was stopped by Minnesota goalkeeper Tarah Hobbs. But Sarkisian was right there to get her own rebound and knock it home at the 9:33 mark.
The two teams traded opportunities for the remainder of the half, and the Wolverines took a 1-0 lead into the half.
Out of the break, Minnesota's attack turned up the pressure, getting a couple solid looks at the goal but could not convert until the 74th minute. The Gophers knotted the score 1-1 at the 73:24 mark, when Rachel McCloskey tapped in a loose ball on the far post.
Five minutes later, sophomore Nicky Waldeck (Chicago, Ill./Western Reserve Academy [OH]) had a hard shot on net that was saved, and seconds later Timko sent a ball just over the crossbar from 20 yards out.
Neither team could notch the deciding goal in regulation, and the game was sent to overtime, where Timko's game-winning free kick ended the match in the 94th minute.
Freshman goalkeeper Megan Hinz (Eldersburg, Md. /Our Lady of Good Counsel) played every second in goal for the Wolverines and recorded five saves en route to her third straight win and fourth of the season.
The Wolverines will host ninth-ranked Wisconsin in its second Big Ten matchup of the season on Sunday (Sept. 14) at 2 p.m. at U-M Soccer Stadium.
GAME SUMMARY
| By Periods | 1 | 2 | OT | F |
| Minnesota | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Michigan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Ani Sarkisian, 9:33 (unassisted)
2nd -- MINN, Rachel McCloskey, 73:24 (Simone Kolander, Sydney Squires)
OT -- U-M, Taylor Timko, 93:47 (unassisted)
Shots: U-M 18, MINN 14
Shots on Goal: U-M 6, MINN 6
Saves: U-M 5 (Megan Hinz), MINN 4 (Tarah Hobbs)
Corner Kicks: U-M 6, MINN 4
Cards: None
NOTES
• Michigan defeated Minnesota at home for the first time since Sept. 28, 2003 (W, 1-0). Prior to tonight's win, the Wolverines had defeated Minnesota three times since that game, but all three wins were on the road.
• Michigan has won each of its last four Big Ten openers, with two of those wins coming at home.
• Today marked U-M's first overtime game since Sept. 27, 2013 (vs. Wisconsin; T, 0-0, 2OT) and first overtime victory since Aug. 30, 2013 (vs. Eastern Michigan; W, 2-1, OT).
• Minnesota's second-half goal was the first goal Megan Hinz and the Wolverines had allowed at home all season.
• Goalkeeper Megan Hinz has started four games in her freshman campaign, earning wins in all four, including three shutouts.
• Ani Sarkisian has tallied goals in each of the last two games, with both coming in the first 12 minutes of the game.
Team Stats
SARKISIAN, ANI (2)
rebound off keeper
9:33
McCloskey, Rachel (3)
Assisted By: Kolander, Simone , Squires, Sydney
loose ball in box, tap in
73:24
TIMKO, TAYLOR (2)
free kick, 25 yards out
93:47
