Wisconsin tops No. 8 Minnesota in 99th minute

MINNEAPOLIS — For the third straight season, Wisconsin was able to secure a Border Battle win after upsetting No. 8 Minnesota 1-0 in overtime at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Saturday night.

"I'm really proud of the team because this week we came to them with a game plan and it was going to take all of them with maximum effort in order to pull it off," UW head coach Paula Wilkins said. "They did exactly what we wanted and I'm extremely proud that they were able to do it.

"Huge credit to Minnesota, I have to tell you that after watching film, I think this is one of the best Minnesota teams that I've seen in the years working at Wisconsin. I think to get the win is just something we needed at the moment to give us a little bit of confidence moving forward, but big respect to Minnesota as they obviously are a great team that causes a lot of problems."

GAME WINNER! @BadgerWSoccer UPSETS #8 @GopherSoccer in OT

It was @danirhodes04 with the Game winner@BTNStudentU
https://t.co/fcobCbPKn6

— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) October 2, 2016

Freshman forward Dani Rhodes tallied the game-winning goal, netting it inside the six-yard box in the 99th minute of play to give Wisconsin (5-4-1 overall, 2-2-1 Big Ten) the upset win against Minnesota (9-3-1 overall, 3-1-1 Big Ten).

Rhodes has shown to be a factor for the team thus far, netting two goals this season, both of which have been game winners.

"She's a goal-scoring type of kid, she has a knack for it and she's done a good job setting herself in the right place at the right time and that's why she's scoring goals," Wilkins said. "This was a huge game and moment for her. She's just coming into the game and she's already making a difference."

THAT. WAS. EPIC. pic.twitter.com/O9N43JIYHr

— Wisconsin Soccer (@BadgerWSoccer) October 2, 2016

The Badgers came out firing early in the first half, with senior midfielders Micaela Powers and Rose Lavelle and freshman defender Camryn Biegalski each rocketing off shots, but none were able to find the back of the net.

Both teams started to create more opportunities in the second half with Wisconsin tallying four shots during the period, while Minnesota logged five, but the game went into overtime deadlocked at 0-0.

The match proved to be physical overall, with both teams touting tough defensive fronts and tallying 31 total fouls.

"Defensively, I think we defended amazingly as a team," Wilkins said. "We asked them to do a lot of double-teaming on the field. We covered a lot of ground and were able to do that and I think something that teams should walk away with, other than the victory, should be being proud of the way that they played as a group."

Lavelle led the team in shots recording three while sophomore forward Emily Borgmann added in two.

Powers and Rhodes each notched one shot on goal each for the Cardinal and White.

#Badgers take the Border Battle with this beauty. pic.twitter.com/4jR6Ai5cU1

— Wisconsin Soccer (@BadgerWSoccer) October 2, 2016

The playing field was pretty even between both of the teams throughout the game as Wisconsin edged Minnesota in shots 9-8, while the Gophers held the advantage in shots on goal, 3-2, and corner kicks, 9-6.

Junior goalkeeper Caitlyn Clem was a brick wall for the Badgers, diving into action to collect three saves on the night while Minnesota's goalkeeper, Tarah Hobbs, collected one save.