If you love Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s sports, then Thursday night is for you. Three of the marquis women’s programs at the U all have big games at home on Thursday night. Here are previews of all three
below:
#2 Women’s Hockey vs #16 Boston College
6 PM Ridder Arena B1G+
The Gopher women’s hockey team kick off the 2025-26 season on Thursday night by bringing in another maroon and gold clad team to Ridder Arena. The Goophers will face Boston College at 6 Pm Thursday night in the season opener for both teams. Minnesota will look to get off to a good start against a quality opponent and BC will look to try and upset the Gophers on home ice.
Minnesota was predicted to tie for second place in the WCHA coaches poll, while the Eagles were predicted to finish in fourth place in Hockey East. The Eagles return sixteen players from last seasons roster including senior goalie and captain Grace Campbell who finished the season with a career-best .930 save percentage.
The Eagles and Gophers effectively made a player trade in the offseason with junior defender Molly Jordan leaving the Eagles and coming to Minnesota and senior forward Emma Connor doing the opposite and transferring from Minnesota to BC. Both will play against their former teams tonight.
This will be the 9th and 10th games in the history between the Gophers and Eagles with Minnesota holding a 5-1-2 edge in the series. One of those ties came in the teams last meeting in 2019. Faceoff is set for 6 PM and will stream on B1G+
Soccer vs Michigan State
7 PM Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium B1G+
The Gopher soccer team will face a big task on Thursday as they host last ear’s Big Ten Champion in Michigan State. The Spartans come in with a 4-2-4 overall record and a 1-0-2 Big Ten record—one of just four teams still undefeated in Big Ten play. They were in California last weekend where they earned a tie against #4 USC and dominated UCLA in a 4-0 win. Kennedy Bell is the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after picking up a trio of goals against the Trojans and Bruins.
The Gophers enter Thursday’s match with a 5-3-1 overall record and a 1-1-1 record in Big Ten play. Minnesota has tied Nebraska, lost at Iowa and defeated Rutgers. Freya Jupp and Aaryn Gabriel scored the goals for Minnesota in their 2-1 win over the Scarlet Knights last Thursday. Minnesota was shutout 2-0 at #12 Iowa on Sunday. Minnesota has been riding redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Martin who leads the Big Ten in saves (43) and saves per game (4.78).
First kick is set for 7 PM and will stream on B1G+
#12 Volleyball vs Michigan State
7:30 PM Maturi Pavillion Big Ten Network
The 12th ranked Minnesota Gophers volleyball team kicks off their Big Ten gauntlet Thursday night when they host Michigan State at the Pav. Minnesota has won 10 consecutive games headed into the conference season despite losing a trio of starters to season ending injuries.
The Spartans come into the match undefeated at 10-0 and it will be a homecoming for first year coach Kristen Kelsay who was a Minnesota assistant the pat two seasons under Keegan Cook. Kelsay is a 2014 Michigan State graduate. The Spartans 10-0 record is a bit of a misnomer as they have yet to play a top tier opponent this season. MSU’s best win on the season is over Bowling Green. They are led by outside hitter Taylah Holdem, who registers 4.33 kills per set (4th in B1G). Setter Malayah Long paces the offense with 10.54 assists per set (5th in B1G).
Minnesota enters the match looking to get off to a fast start in conference play. They are getting great play form their injury replacements, most notably freshman McKenna Garr at Libero and outside hitter Alex Acevedo. Senior Julia Hansen has continued to build on her career season in 204. So far this year she has 10+ kills in nine of her ten matches. She’s hitting .327 for the year and had a season-high 21 kills on Aug. 29 vs. Cal Poly.
Minnesota has won 20 of the last 21 matches against the Spartans and is 63-19 all-time. They have won the last 10 matches in a row. The Gophers last loss to the Spartans was at the Pav on Sept. 24, 2017. In Minneapolis, the Gophers hold a 32-7 record in the series. The Gophers are 30-13 in B1G openers and has won its last 13 conference home openers.
First serve is set for 7:30 PM and the match will air live on Big Ten Network, and stream on B1G+.
It’s a great night to get to campus and support one of three great Gopher women’s teams!
