Anderson Scores Twice as Huskers Take Down Purdue

Lincoln -- Junior midfielder Meghan Anderson scored the Huskers' first goal and added the game winner as the third-ranked Nebraska soccer team defeated 24th-ranked Purdue, 4-1, on Sunday at the Abbott Sports Complex before a crowd of 645. The Huskers, who improved to 6-0-0 on the season, allowed the Boilermakers just two shots on goal, including a score on a penalty kick in the first half. Purdue suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 5-1-0.

With the game tied 1-1 at half, Nebraska wasted no time taking the lead and then padding its lead with quick scores by Anderson (59:04) and sophomore forward Christine Latham (59:29) - 25 seconds later. Freshman Christy Harms added NU's fourth goal at 69:27.

"I thought we played excellent in the second half," Nebraska Head Coach John Walker said. "Just to have them pinned in their own end was good. But we have to play 90 minutes. You can't be a team that plays in spurts."

The Huskers, who outshot Purdue 26-7, allowed five shots in the first half and just two in the second. NU outcornered the Boilermakers 13-1.

"We were hurting ourselves in the first half," Anderson said. "Granted, they played a great game. They came out fired up and we didn't. They were beating us at our own game."

Anderson posted her second multiple-goal game of the season - and seventh of her career - as she notched her fourth and fifth goals of the year. The Omaha, Neb., native also scored back-to-back goals against Arkansas-Little Rock on Aug. 27.

Junior forward Becky Preston assisted Anderson's first goal, marking the fourth time this season the two have connected for a score. The one-time Burke High School teammates lead the Huskers in points this season. Anderson has scored 19, while Preston has added 16.

"They seem to have a nice understanding," Walker said. "That probably comes from years of playing together. They're both off to excellent starts."

The Huskers will return to action at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, against Dartmouth at the Connecticut Classic in Storrs, Conn. NU will then take on sixth-ranked Connecticut on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m.