Nebraska Escapes with 1-0 Win Over DePaul

Lincoln ? In a game of two halves, the Nebraska soccer defeated the DePaul Blue Demons, 1-0, thanks to a Jessie Bruch goal early in the contest Friday night at the Abbott Sports Complex.

Bruch created her own play about 10 yards out and launched a shot in the middle of the net at the 8:33 mark for her first official collegiate goal in front of 882 fans.

"It was overwhelming," Bruch said. "Playing at this level and getting your first goal, there are really no words. It was great, especially with all of the fans yelling."

The Huskers dominated the possession in the first half, with 12 shots and five on goal in the first 45 minutes. Bruch had five shots of her own in the first period, while Iman Haynes had two and five others put in one each.

"We were disadvantaged playing shorthanded, but we are happy to get the result," Coach John Walker said. "Both Ashleys (Carter and Tenn) had a shot in the first half that could have been chipped in, and we would have been up 3-0 at half. You have to give DePaul credit. (Julianne) Sitch is a great player."

In the second half, DePaul carried the momentum, controlling the ball. The Huskers escaped two solid shots by the Blue Demons deep in the second half. Sitch got behind the NU defense with just over 23 minutes remaining and went one-on-one with goalkeeper Brooke Bredenberg, who came out on top with the solid save.

In the 88th minute, DePaul's Lauren Spacht, had a good look at the goal but sent the ball sailing wide of the goal.

The Huskers were one player short for the final minute of the game as they tried to hold on to the lead, when sophomore Nikki Baker was handed a red card and DePaul's Jennifer Heil got a yellow.

Bredenberg finally recorded her first official shutout, after posting five in the spring and one in the preseason, with five saves on the night. The defense played well, knocking two shots out of the net for two team saves.

DePaul's goalkeeper Lindsey Deason gave up one goal and recorded two saves on the night. The Blue Demon defense also recorded two team saves.

DePaul outshot the Huskers, 21-17, for the contest and posted seven shots on goal to NU's six. The Blue Demons also notched seven corner kicks to Nebraska's five.

The Huskers will be back in action at the Abbott Sports Complex Sunday at 7 p.m. when they face the Iowa Hawkeyes.