Huskers Top Ninth-Ranked A&M For Big 12 Tournament Title

San Antonio, Texas -- Sophomore forward Christine Latham notched a goal an assist as the third-ranked Nebraska soccer team won its third consecutive Big 12 Tournament title on Saturday, defeating ninth-ranked Texas A&M, 4-1, in front of a crowd of 2,247 at the Blossom Sports Complex. The Huskers, who will enter the NCAA Tournament with a 21-1-0 record, have won both the conference regular-season and tournament crowns in each of the last two seasons.

Latham, the conference player of the year, was named the tournament's offensive MVP, scoring a total of nine points on three goals and three assists. Her scoring shot against the Aggies came at 67:10 - just under five minutes after midfielder Juli Goin scored the A&M's lone goal, putting the Aggies within one.

"The crucial moment of the game was when we came back and scored right after they did," Nebraska Coach John Walker said. "That clinched it. But they did give us a great battle."

NU freshman forward Christy Harms put the Huskers on the board first, scoring her third goal of the tournament at 33:42. Harms took a pass from junior midfielder Meghan Anderson, dribbled around two A&M defenders and fired a shot to the top corner of the net. The Blue Springs, Mo., native, who scored in all three tournament games, was one of four Huskers named to the all-tournament team.

Nebraska struck again when freshman Lindsey Greenwood scored her sixth goal of the season at 42:57 on a pass from Latham, who ran into Aggie traffic just outside the box. The goal gave the Huskers a 2-0 halftime lead. Greenwood has scored all six of her goals in the Huskers' last eight games.

Following Goin's scoring shot, Latham notched her 23rd goal of the season on a pass from Benson, who earned all-tournament honors with a total of four assists.

"They gave up a good fight," said Latham, who is now just five points shy of tying the Husker single-season school record of 61 points, set by Kim Engesser in 1998. "We just capitalized on our opportunities."

Nebraska outshot Texas A&M, 19-16, and outcornered the Aggies, 4-2.

Redshirt freshman Paige Phillips notched the first goal of her career at 76:38 for the final margin. Junior forward Danica Carey threw the ball in to sophomore midfielder Kori Saunders, who knocked the pass to Phillips.

NU senior goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc recorded four saves in the effort as her goals-against average moved to 0.39. The Maple Ridge, British Columbia, native has allowed just eight goals in 1,827 minutes this season.

The Nebraska soccer team will watch the NCAA selection show from the Don Bryant Press Facility Sunday evening at 9 p.m. Walker and players will be available for interviews following the show.