Huskers Come Up Short Against Oklahoma

Lincoln -- Despite outshooting the Sooners, 37-5, the second-ranked Nebraska soccer team had trouble finishing its shots, as Oklahoma upset the Huskers, 2-1, on Sunday at the Abbott Sports Complex before a crowd of 1,013. With the loss, NU fell to 15-1-0 and 6-1-0, while OU improved to 8-6-1 and 3-3-1.

The loss marked Nebraska's first-ever conference loss at home, and first loss to a league-foe since a 1-0 loss at Baylor on Nov. 11, 1998. NU had not lost a game since falling to then-No. 1 Santa Clara on Sept. 17, 1999.

"It was a day where we just didn't finish," Nebraska Head Coach John Walker said. "No problem in the effort, but we need to execute. We just need to finish our chances, and that's all there is to it."

Oklahoma sophomore forward Shannon Wing put the Sooners on the board at 28:32 on a pass from sophomore midfielder Jennifer Enos. OU struck again early in the second half when freshman forward Logan Womack scored at 52:33 off a corner kick from junior forward Jonette Coquat.

The Huskers scored at 67:10 on a shot by Christine Latham, who leads the Big 12 with 16 goals. But NU's late pressure wasn't enough.

"You can't allow two goals," Walker said. "It doesn't matter who you're playing. It allows the opposition to condense the field."

Nebraska senior goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, who surrendered both goals, still owns a conference-leading 0.42 goals-against average. The Sooners' first goal sailed over a back-peddling LeBlanc's head, while the second came on a scramble in the box following a corner kick.

"It's heartbreaking because we beat ourselves," said LeBlanc, who recorded three saves in the effort. "Now, we have a loss, but I think that's going to help us later."

Sooner sophomore goalkeeper Jana Cunningham posted 16 saves in Oklahoma's first win against Nebraska in five meetings.

The Huskers will return to action on Friday evening when they play host to Colorado in a 7 p.m. contest at the Abbott Sports Complex, located 1 ½ miles north of Cornhusker Highway on 70th Street. The game will mark the final regular-season home appearance for seniors Jenny Benson, Christine Gluck, LeBlanc, and Lauren Tatum.

Scoring Summary

Time	Player (Team)	Assists
28:32	Shannon Wing (Oklahoma)	Jennifer Enos
52:33	Logan Womack (Oklahoma)	Jonette Coquat
67:10	Chritine Latham (Nebraska)

Shots: Nebraska 37, Oklahoma 5
Shots on Goal: Nebraska 18, Oklahoma 5
Corner Kicks: Nebraska 17, Oklahoma 2
Goalkeeper Saves: Oklahoma 16 (Cunningham 16), Nebraska 3 (LeBlanc 3)
Fouls: Oklahoma 13, Nebraska 9
Attendance: 1,013