Huskers Corner Murray State in 2-0 Win

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln – Two freshmen stepped up once again for the Nebraska soccer team (5-2-1) to give the Huskers their final non-conference victory over Murray State, 2-0, Sunday afternoon at the Abbott Sports Complex.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

"It was a good effort," Coach John Walker said. "It was a good performance, but when you take 34 shots, you want more goals. We had good efficiency and good organization, but we want to put more chances away."

 

Ashley Tenn got Nebraska on the scoreboard in the first half at the 24:42 mark when a ball bounced around inside the box and Tenn got a foot on it and placed it just beyond the reach of MSU goalkeeper Annie Fortier.

 

Tenn's goal was her second of the season and although the play was anything but pretty, Tenn remained resilient in the box and it was what the Huskers needed to get them going.

 

Just three and a half minutes before the goal, freshman Ashley Carter got an unlucky bounce as she launched a shot that hit the inside of the cross bar and fell into Fortier's hands to keep the Huskers scoreless.

 

The Huskers had several offensive opportunities, but were unable to capitalize on them until there was just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.  At the 79:26 mark, freshman Jessie Bruch took a corner kick from Jenna Cooper and headed it into the right corner of the net.

 

Bruch got off the first two NU shots of the contest within the first five minutes with one flying right and the other going left of the net. MSU's Kristin Robertson took the first shot of the game just 1:29 into the contest that freshman goalkeeper Katie Wright saved.

 

Overall, Nebraska once again dominated play, outshooting Murray State, 34-3, and taking a 17-3 advantage on shots on goal. The most telling of all statistics, however, was the 27 corner kicks the Huskers were able to get off to MSU's zero.  The 27 corners tied the NU school record for corner kicks in a game, set last season against Belmont University.

 

"We need to be more dynamic in the box," Walker said. "We attacked with good purpose, but the corner kick (to goals) ratio needs to be much better."

 

Sophomore Kari Hogan played a solid game for the Huskers, blasting six shots on the contest, with four of them being on goal.

 

"Kari Hogan had a great game and really had an outstanding weekend," Walker said.

 

Wright got her first shutout in a Nebraska uniform in her second start in goal. The freshman from Visalia, Calif., made three saves in 90 minutes of action.

 

With Wright in goal, junior Brooke Bredenberg moved back to her natural position in the midfield and was able to get off one shot on goal in her time on the field.

           

Fortier made 11 saves and allowed two goals on the contest.  The freshman goalkeeper bobbled several NU shots, but was able to keep several out of the net. MSU's defense also contributed four team saves on the day.

 

Nebraska opens Big 12 Conference play next weekend against Iowa State at 7 p.m. Friday and against Missouri at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Abbott Sports Complex.