Colorado Freezes Huskers 3-1

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Boulder, Colo. - The Nebraska soccer team took a tough 3-1 loss in icy conditions at Colorado on Friday afternoon.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

The loss drops Nebraska to 11-6-1 and 6-4-0 in the Big 12 and makes the Huskers the fourth seed in the conference tournament next week in San Antonio, Texas. The Huskers will play Texas A&M, which lost to Texas in double overtime late Friday, Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. The match will be carried on Internet at Huskers.com.  Colorado had already clinched the Big 12 regular season championship last week and improved to 15-2-1 and 8-1-1 in the conference.

 

"The conditions were horrific," Coach John Walker said. "It was a tough environment for both teams. We started extremely well, but they scored on their second and third shots of the game. Our goal chances were pretty equal, but on a day like this, it really comes down to a couple of chances. We didn't play poorly, but in the end it wasn't good enough. The execution just wasn't good enough."

 

NU got off to a great start when Lindsey Ingram scored the first goal of the game at the 15:24 mark on an assist by freshman Ashley Carter.

 

Colorado struck back exactly two minute later on a long shot by Jen Thais on a pass from Kathryn Grandinetti for Thais' fourth goal of the season. Less than two minutes later, Katie Griffin added another goal on a Thais assist, giving the a 2-1 halftime lead  As a freshman, Griffin is CU's leading scorer and her goal against the Huskers was her 10th of the season.

 

Just 12 minutes into the second period, a Husker was called for a foul in the box.  Fran Munnelly was awarded a penalty kick that she knocked in to give the Buffaloes a 3-1 advantage and a two-goal cushion.

 

Nebraska played a strong game, but could never come up with another goal to challenge the conference champions. The Huskers outshot Colorado, 13-11, led by freshman Ashley Carter with six. The Buffs took a nine to seven advantage in shots on goal, and the two teams were even with two corner kicks a piece.

 

NU goalkeeper Brooke Bredenberg made six saves and gave up three goals, while Jessica Keller made six saves and only allowed one goal.

 

NU will travel to a warmer climate next week to compete in the Big 12 Tournament in San Antonio, Texas. The Huskers will face either Texas A&M in the opening round of the tournament on Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.