Gophers soccer coach Erin Chastain has signed a contract extension through the 2028 season, the U said Saturday.

Chastain returned to coach Minnesota, her alma mater, in 2021 and produced the most successful season in more than a decade in 2024.

The Gophers went 14-5-3 last fall and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010. The U then lost to North Carolina, which went on to win the national championship.

Chastain’s team a season ago featured forward Khyah Harper, the Big Ten forward of the year and a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, and Sophia Boman, an all-Big Ten first team selection. Both seniors are getting a shot in the National Women’s Soccer League this spring.

— Andy Greder

Baseball falls to No. 2 Virginia in Texas

The Gophers baseball team lost 4-2 to second-ranked Virginia at the Karbach Round Rock Classic in Round Rock, Tex.

The Gophers (1-4) held an 2-1 lead on the Cavaliers (3-2) after the fourth inning, but could not hang on.

Jake Elbeery led the Gophers offense with two hits. Jack Spanier added two RBIs.

Kyle Remington got the start for the Gophers and threw 6.1 innings with five strikeouts taking the loss. Eli Sundquist entered in relief and threw 1.2 innings with two strikeouts.

No. 13 gymnasts top 20th-ranked Nebraska

The No. 13 Minnesota gymnastics team defeated No. 20 Nebraska in their Big Ten home finale at Maturi Pavilion.

The Gophers outlasted NU 197.075-196.500.

With the victory, the Gophers finished their Big Ten home slate with a perfect 3-0 record. The ‘U’ will head into the Big 4 Meet next weekend with a shot at winning their first Big Ten regular season title since 2016.

Mya Hooten took home a solo event title on bars, going a season-best 9.950. It also tied her career-high set in 2024. She also tied for the floor title with Nebraska’s Sophia McClelland with a 9.925.

NU’s Isabel Sikon won the vault title with a 9.875 while there was a three-way tie on beam with Jordyn Lyden, Ava Stewart and Nebraska’s Emma Simpton at 9.900.

tommies athletics

Men’s hockey outlasts Wildcats, now above .500

The St. Thomas men’s hockey team held on to beat Northern Michigan 4-3 in Marquette, Mich.

Liam Malmquist, Ryan O’Neill, Jake Braccini and Lucas Wallin scored for St. Thomas (14-13-5, 11-9-4 CCHA) took a 4-1 lead into the third period. However, Northern Michigan (5-26-1, 4-19-1) rallied for two goals in the final frame before the Tommies hung on for the win.

Women’s hockey falls at Minnesota State

The St. Thomas women’s hockey team was swept at Minnesota State after losing 3-0 in Mendota Heights.

The Tommies (9-23-2, 6-21-1 WCHA) who logged goals on Friday, were held scoreless in the follow-up. Goaltender Madi Strom made 30 saves in defeat.

The Mavericks (13-19-2, 7-19-2) scored one goal in each period to skate away with another win.

Men’s basketball drops second-straight contest

The St. Thomas men’s basketball team lost its second-straight game, falling 71-66 to Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Okla.

Nolan Minessale led the Tommies (20-9, 10-4, Summit) with 17 points. ORU (7-20, 3-11) was led by Isaac McBride’s game-high 19 points.

Women’s basketball defeats South Dakota

Behind a game-high 22 points from Jade Hill, the St. Thomas women’s basketball team beat South Dakota 66-57 in St. Paul.

Gabby Wilke scored 14 points for the Tommies (15-12, 8-6 Summit) while Grace Larkins paced the Coyotes (11-18, 5-10) with 21 points.

golf

Potgieter leads by one stroke at Mexico Open

Aldrich Potgieter has a one-shot lead in the Mexico Open. He had reason to hope for a larger margin going for his first PGA Tour victory.

The big hitter from South Africa led by three shots for so much of the back nine until a bogey from the bushes on the 17th hole and having to scramble for par after hitting 7-iron for his second shot on the par-5 18th.

He shot 67 and leads Brian Campbell by one shot. Stephan Jaeger was three shots behind.

At stake Sunday for Potgieter and Campbell is a trip to the Masters.

Yin leads by five strokes at LPGA Thailand

Angel Yin birdied three of her final four holes on the front nine to help set up an 8-under 64 to take a five-stroke lead into the final round of the LPGA Thailand tournament.

The American had a three-round total of 21-under 195 at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course.

Sponsor invite Akie Iwai of Japan, who led after the first two rounds, shot 71 and dropped into second place. She stumbled with her first bogey of the tournament on the ninth hole.

Yin’s best finish in four previous appearances at LPGA Thailand was a share of third place in 2021.

The California native is chasing her second LPGA title after winning the Buick LPGA Shanghai in 2023.

alpine skiing

Schiffin not a factor at Italian giant slalom

Mikaela Shiffrin is not yet competitive in her return to racing in giant slaloms.

Federica Brignone is currently close to unbeatable, winning on home snow at Sestriere, Italy.

Shiffrin continued her tentative return to racing in GS and did not qualify for a second run for the first time since 2012 by placing outside the top 30.

The American star finished 25th on Friday in her first GS race since November after suffering a deep puncture wound crashing at Killington, Vermont. Brignone also won Friday and on Saturday ended 0.77 seconds ahead of Lara Gut-Behrami. Alice Robinson was third.

— From news services