University of Minnesota athletes improved their Graduation Success Rate (GSR) by three percent over the previous year's result while dropping one percentage point in the federal graduation rate.

The numbers are for students entering school in 2006, and allotting six years for graduation.

The GSR includes athletes who transfer in to a school, and excludes those transferring out who leave in good academic standing. The federal rate counts transfers as non-graduates from their initial school. The GSR was created by the NCAA in 2005 to more accurately reflect actual graduation rates among athletes.

The Gophers' GSR has increased by 19 percent, from 67 percent in 2005, to 86 percent.

The national GSR for Division I athletes this year is 82 percent, the highest mark ever.

Minnesota's GSR improved over the past year in both football (from 69 to 75 percent) and men's basketball (54 to 69 percent).

Etc.

• The Gophers edged Wisconsin 1-0 on Thursday in a Big Ten women's soccer game in Madison on Haley Helverson's goal in the second overtime. Minnesota (10-5-2, 3-4-2 conference) was outshot 32-17 by the Badgers (9-5-2, 4-4-1). The home team also had more shots on goal, 11-8, but Gophers keeper Tarah Hobbs stopped all of them.

• Sophomore forward Christian Horn, who played for Benilde-St. Margaret's in high school, told the Gophers on Wednesday that he would be leaving the team to play for Tri-City of the United States Hockey League. Horn did not get into a game last season.

• The U.S. junior national team will hold a four-day training camp from Dec. 15-18 at Mariucci Arena, which will include an exhibition game against Minnesota State Mankato on the third day. Gophers coach Don Lucia is the head coach of the team; a preliminary roster will be released in early December. The IIHF World Junior Championships will be held Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Malmo, Sweden.