Nebraska to Face Denver Friday Night

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? The Nebraska soccer team closes out its exhibition season Friday against the Denver Pioneers at 7 p.m. at the Abbott Sports Complex.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

'It will be good game,' Coach John Walker said.  'They are a good team that has made the NCAA Tournament the last couple of years and have sent a couple of players to the WUSA. It will be a good test for us.'

 

The Huskers opened the 2003 season last Wednesday with a 1-1 tie against the Canadian Under-17 National Team.  Denver defeated Air Force, 2-1, Saturday in their opening exhibition match.

 

Denver has developed a solid resume in just five seasons at the Division I level, including a Sun Belt Conference title in 2002, after going unblemished in the conference schedule.  The Pioneers collected a 15-game winning streak in 2002 and their second consecutive conference tournament championship.  They reached the NCAA Tournament for the second year, but fell to California, 2-0, in the opening round.

 

'We won't be anything near full speed,' Walker said. 'We have some players out with injuries and Brittany Timko and Tanya Dennis are with the Canadian National Team. It will be a good experience for the young players.  It is just important to recognize it as a training game.'

 

The game will begin the season of live radio broadcast on Huskers.com. A team of Chris Liberto, Dave Hunt and Tony Gorman will be calling the action throughout the home season.

 

Live stats for the contest can also be found at Huskers.com.

 

Nebraska opens its regular season Friday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. against DePaul at the Abbott Sports Complex.