Latham Scores Two as Third-Ranked Huskers top Evansville

Lincoln, Neb. -- Senior forward Christine Latham scored two goals for the second consecutive match as the third-ranked Nebraska soccer team topped Evansville, 5-1, in a physical contest before a crowd of 934 at the Abbott Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon. The Huskers improved to 5-0-0, while the Purple Aces fell to 4-2-0.

"We haven't really played as complete of game this season," Nebraska Head Coach John Walker said. "We wanted to be dominant in the air and finish our chances. I thought we did that. We fought extra hard. Evansville is a good team."

Nebraska finished five of its 10 shots on goal, and outshot the Purple Aces, 23-8. The Huskers also outcornered Evansville, 13-1.

"We had more bite today, and that's what we're all about," Walker said.

NU senior midfielder Meghan Anderson put the Huskers on the board at 19:15, and added an assist late in the first half to boost her career total to 123 points - just four points shy of Lindsay Eddleman's Husker career record of 127 points.

Anderson is also one assist short of becoming the 29th Division-I soccer player to join the 40-career-goal/40-career-assist club, an NCAA milestone. The Omaha, Neb., native has posted 42 career goals and 39 career assists.

Latham, a Hermann Trophy nominee, scored her first goal of the game at 29:46, giving Nebraska a 2-0 lead, seconds before Evansville's Beth Bartkus put the Purple Aces on the board at 30:29 after a scramble in the box. Latham added her fourth goal of the weekend and second of the game on a header at 42:29, following a cross from senior defender Najah Williams.

"We stepped up to the challenge and matched their physical aggressiveness," Latham said.

Junior defender Breanna Boyd added her first goal of the season to give the Huskers a 4-1 lead at 44:48 after a free kick from Anderson.

The lone goal of the second half came from Nebraska freshman forward Iman Haynes, who notched her first career goal from short range at 82:09.

"I didn't know what to think," Haynes said. "It was exciting. I was just there and deflected it in."

Six Husker freshmen saw action in Sunday's contest.

"It was good for the younger players to get on in the second half and still keep the ball in their half," Walker said. "That was important."

Nebraska first-year goalkeeper Erin Miller, a sophomore, posted three saves in the effort, lowering her goals-against average to 1.24. NU has surrendered just two goals in its last two games after allowing five in its first three contests.

The Huskers will travel to fourth-ranked Notre Dame on Tuesday to face the Fighting Irish in a 7 p.m. contest. Notre Dame improved to 5-0-1 with a 2-1 victory over Georgetown on Sunday, Sept. 23.