Latham Strikes Twice in 3-1 Husker Victory

Lincoln - Forward Christine Latham scored a pair of goals in the first 10 minutes of the match, providing third-ranked Nebraska all the offense it would need in a 3-1 victory over Northern Iowa in front of 947 fans at the Abbott Sports Complex Friday night. The Huskers improved to 4-0-0, while UNI fell to 2-5-0.

Latham, a Hermann Trophy nominee, needed only 49 second to get on the scoreboard, knocking in a rebound past UNI goalkeeper Ann Marie Witko after Meghan Anderson's initial shot was deflected in front of the Panther net.

A junior from Calgary, Alberta, Latham gave the Huskers a 2-0 advantage 9:49 into the contest, posting her 10th multiple-goal game of her career with assists from senior forward Becky Preston and junior defender Paige Phillips. Latham, last season's Big 12 Player of the Year, now has two goals and two assists on the season to rank second only to Anderson's team-high eight points.

"I'm glad I got a couple to start it off," Latham said, "but we're still struggling with finishing. We have to start picking that up."

Nebraska, which was playing its first game since Sept. 9, dominated the match, out-shooting UNI, 43-3, while holding the Panthers to one shot on goal. Jane Masteller scored for the Panthers with 8:28 remaining. Masteller's unassisted goal, her fourth of the year, was the lone offense spark for the Panthers.

Nebraska posted 14 shots on goal to the Panthers' one, while the Huskers outcornered UNI, 12-0.

"Any time you take 43 shots, more than 14 of them should be on goal," Nebraska Head Coach John Walker said. "Every game we play is a moral victory for the other team."

Kori Saunders gave the Huskers a 3-0 lead 74 minutes into the match with her team-leading third goal of the year, before UNI broke into the scoring column at 81:32.

Witko made 11 saves, while neither NU starter Erin Miller, who played the first 74 minutes or Leah Lamale recorded a save in the Husker win.

The Huskers return to action on Sunday, Sept. 22, when they play host to Evansville, beginning at 1p.m. at the Abbott Sports Complex