Huskers Have High Hopes for 2005

After a postseason run that ended with the program’s eighth Sweet 16 appearance in the last nine seasons in 2004, the 2005 Nebraska soccer team sets its sights on advancing past the Sweet 16 and reclaiming the throne in the Big 12 Conference. Aiding the cause will be the return of nine starters from last year’s squad, as well as the return of 2003 point leader Jessie Bruch, who missed the entire 2004 season while recovering from a knee injury, and the addition of a talent-laden group of 11 newcomers.

The 2005 Huskers return an overwhelming majority of their offensive production from last season, including players totaling 84 percent of their goal scoring (42 of 50 goals scored in 2004) and 86 percent (31 of 36 assists) of the 2004 assist total. Junior Brittany Timko, the 2004 Big 12 Player of the Year, returns after leading Nebraska with 15 goals, 13 assists and 43 points and earning third-team All-America honors last season. Fellow junior Tanya Dennis and senior Sasha Andrews are also returning first-team All-Big 12 picks, while Timko, Andrews and senior Nikki Baker are returning All-Midwest Region selections.

Add to that the return of Bruch, who led the team with 19 points in 2003, and an incoming class that ranked seventh nationally by StudentSportsSoccer.com, and the Big Red has the makings of a team poised for a late-season run through the NCAA Tournament.

Head Coach John Walker, who needs only 14 wins to reach 200 career victories at Nebraska, believes the mix of talented returnees along with a skilled incoming class and increased depth will help NU accomplish great things in 2005.

"The fact that we have an experienced team and a lot of players who played a lot of minutes last season, combined with the return of someone like Jessie, along with a talented freshman class, this has a chance to be one of our better teams," Walker said. "We expect to compete for the Big 12 title and be a tough team for anyone in the country to face in the NCAA Tournament."

One of the most consistent programs in the nation, Nebraska will face some new and exciting challenges in 2005. One will be adjusting to the newest member of the Husker coaching staff, Ann Cook, who joined the team in the spring. Cook replaced former assistant Megan Skinner and represents the first change to the coaching staff in 10 years.

This season’s squad will also be playing at a new home. Nebraska soccer moves on campus for the first time in program history, relocating to the Nebraska Soccer Field. Although the Huskers produced tremendous results at their previous home, the Abbott Sports Complex, Walker is excited about the move and hopes it will energize his team to improve upon its 7-6 home record from a year ago.

"There are a number of practical advantages to moving on campus," Walker said. "We’ll play where we practice. The new locker room, lounge and offices will be fantastic. As the construction finishes, it has a chance to be one of the finest facilities in the nation."

Although a new face will adorn the sideline of a new home, the 2005 Huskers will continue at least one tradition - winning. NU has advanced to each of the past nine NCAA tournaments and has also been a top-25 team in each of those seasons. A closer look at this year’s team shows a deep, skilled and experienced squad with talent spread across the field.

Offensively, Timko and Baker return after accounting for 29 goals last season to pace a group of nine returnees who found the back of the net at least once in 2004. The addition of newcomers with a proven knack for scoring will increase the Huskers’ offensive attack, led by freshmen Aysha Jamani and Selenia Iacchelli, who each have plenty of top-level experience as members of the U-20 Canadian National Team.

Defensively, NU will again be strong in 2005. The starting backline boasts a wealth of experience. Seniors Katie Bunkers and Aly Scace have each started more than 50 games in their careers, while Andrews and Dennis each earned first-team All-Big 12 honors at defender last season.

Goalkeepers
In net, junior Katie Wright played every minute in goal last season and proved her worth by posting seven shutouts. She also recorded 108 saves to become only the second player in school history to notch 100 saves in a season. Wright’s accuracy on free kicks is an added bonus for Nebraska, as she contributed two assists in 2004.

Incoming freshman Jamie Klages comes to Nebraska as one of the top prep goalkeepers in the country. At 5-11, Klages has good size and also displays great athleticism. Klages trained with the U.S. Under-20 National Team this past summer after being one of two goalkeepers to earn high school All-America accolades from EA SPORTS.

With the experience and proven production from Wright and the skill and athleticism of Klages, Walker expects the position to be another strength of the team.

"We have an experienced goalkeeper in Katie, who really made big strides in the spring, and a very talented freshman in Jamie, so it will be interesting to see how things evolve. We do know we have talent and experience at that position, which we haven’t had at that position for a number of years. Adding Brittany also gives us depth."

Adding depth to the position will be freshman Brittany Pfeil. Pfeil, a native of Norfolk, Neb., has the potential to be a fine goalkeeper and showed well again at the Nebraska Goalkeeping Camp this past summer.

Defenders
Just as the goalkeeper position is deep and rich with talent, the defender position may prove to be the strongest aspect for the 2005 Huskers. NU returns its entire starting backline from last season, including a pair of All-Big 12 selections in Andrews and Dennis. A physical presence on the field, Andrews is excellent at winning balls in the air and uses her size to her advantage. Andrews was also involved in the Huskers’ offensive attack in 2004, serving as one of NU’s top options on corner kicks and finishing with three goals and four assists.

Bunkers and Scace join Andrews as the senior anchors of the defense. Staples in the Husker lineup for the past three seasons, the duo has combined to start 108 games over the past three seasons. Bunkers and Scace were the lone returning starters last season and proved capable of leading the defense. They were both particularly impressive in the Huskers’ NCAA Tournament run in 2004. Scace’s pace and attacking abilities were more on display in the spring games, and Bunkers’ leadership qualities will be key once again if the Huskers intend to be one of the nation’s top defensive teams.

Dennis, a first-team All-Big 12 defender like Andrews, is expected to be even better in 2005. Although a junior, Dennis will benefit from the experience she gained last season. Dennis missed most of her first season with an injury and her commitment to the Canadian National Team and missed part of the 2004 season while competing in the Under-20 World Championships. In addition to her defensive prowess, Dennis also added three goals and an assist in 19 games last season. Dennis is expected to again be an All-Big 12-caliber player in 2005, whether it be at defender, midfield or forward.

Abby Penas played every minute of Nebraska’s post-season games in 2004 and came up with some impressive performances despite her lack of experience at the position. Penas made further progress as a defender in the spring and with her speed and strength could have more of a role to play with the 2005 squad.

The nucleus of Andrews, Bunkers, Dennis, Penas and Scace gives the Huskers a talented and experienced backline according to Coach Walker.

"Continuity is such an important thing with defenders because a lot of their play is about organization, timing and understanding what teammates will do," Walker said. "There is a lot of experience and leadership in Katie, Sasha and Aly. Abby elevated her play in the spring and we have lots of other options, like Sari Raber and Tanya.

"Incoming players who will make things interesting are Kellie Jensen, Lauren Isenhower, McKensie Kirchner and Ali Lokanc. I wouldn’t hesitate to play them as defenders if they play well in fall camp. Overall, the position has a lot of experience, depth and talent."

Midfielders
The midfield position was the only position with holes to fill from last year’s Sweet 16 squad, but those holes were quickly filled last spring with the return of Bruch and the introduction of Selenia Iacchelli.

In her freshman season of 2003, Bruch was one of the country’s top freshmen and was rewarded with invites to several U.S. Under-21 National Team camps. Her spring performances in 2005 were outstanding, and the Huskers are hopeful that she will return to her dominating all-around performance.

Iacchelli showed creativity, goal-scoring ability and great range during her first spring with the Huskers. She rejoined the Canadian U-20 team this past summer.

Senior Vern Fitzgerald also returns after starting 17 games at the position in 2004. The duo of Fitzgerald and Bruch will solidify the position as others compete for playing time. Fitzgerald’s ball-winning and passing make her a solid and often underrated performer for Nebraska.

Sophomore Sari Raber, a skilled player with experience on the international level, will also figure into the mix. Raber started all 19 games as a freshman last season before joining the Canadian Under-20 National Team for the World Championships. Raber’s speed and range give Nebraska mobility in its midfield, and she showed much improvement last spring.

Jessie Goodell’s skill level, playmaking and work rate make her another candidate for playing time in the Husker midfield.

"With players like Vern, Jessie, Tanya, Sari and Selenia, you have players who would form a very strong unit," Walker said. "You can look at Jessie Goodell, Lauren, Ali and Aysha Jamani as midfielders as well. We have a lot of options and it’s pretty wide open going into camp. We also have the choice if we want to play with or without true wide midfielders."

Forwards
Nebraska boasts a collection of deep and talented forwards this season. Leading the way are Baker and Timko, two proven goal scorers at the highest level.

Timko is the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and a returning All-American. Timko is poised for another All-America-caliber season, and is a threat to become just the second player in league history to repeat as the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year, joining former Husker Christine Latham. In just 19 games last season, the Coquitlam, B.C., native scored 15 goals and added 13 assists. She also established a school record with six game-winning assists before joining the Canadian U-20 National Team for the World Championships, where she won the FIFA Golden Boot as the tournament’s top goal scorer.

Baker returns after putting up career numbers across the board in 2004, tallying 14 goals and adding two assists. A terrific finisher, Baker is also one of the Huskers’ best players in the clutch. She recorded her first career hat trick in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and produced the game-winning goal in each of NU’s two postseason victories last season.

"There are probably only one or two teams in the country who return two forwards who combined for as many goals as Brittany and Nikki," Walker said. "Behind them, people like Brigid Kenny and Meghan Hungerford made big progress in the spring and their physical qualities are really high.

"It’s a really talented group of new players. Aysha is capable of stepping in and playing for any team in the country. Again, we have a lot of options at the position. We can be a lot more flexible with how we play, in terms of our shape."

Sophomores Kenny and Hungerford also return after gaining valuable experience in their freshman seasons. Hungerford started each of the Huskers’ four postseason games, while Kenny appeared in seven games and made great strides during the spring season.

Newcomers Jamani, Lokanc and Danielle Schoen will also compete for playing time. Jamani has extensive international experience at every level within the Canadian National program. A terrific one-versus-one player, Jamani could make an immediate impact and challenge for a starting position.

Lauren Isenhower possesses raw speed and power and can change the tempo of the game at any moment. Her one-versus-one play, work rate and physical play will provide an excellent complement to some of the other Husker attackers.

Lokanc owns great size and speed and excelled in talent-rich San Diego. She was a first-team all-league and All-CIF selection, as well as the third-leading goal scorer in San Diego county. Primarily a left side player, Lokanc could also contribute immediately.

Schoen will also compete for playing time after earning high school All-America honors and being named the New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year in 2004. A fast and physical player, Schoen has a tremendous upside.

Goodell is a true playmaking forward with excellent intelligence. Her technical ability, work rate and field vision make her an interesting player for the Huskers in 2005.

Lindsay Poehling’s top-end speed and powerful shot provide the Huskers with another talented attacking player. The two-time Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year has all the physical tools to make the jump to college soccer.

Returnees Raber, Penas and Dennis could also see time at the forward position this season.

Schedule
The Huskers’ 2005 schedule boasts 11 games at the Nebraska Soccer Field, the new on-campus home of Nebraska soccer. NU’s schedule also features seven games against teams that advanced to the 2004 NCAA Tournament.

That field is highlighted by a trip to Illinois, which advanced to the Elite Eight by eliminating the Huskers with a late, dramatic penalty kick in the Sweet 16. In addition to the Fighting Illini, NU faces four other teams that won at least one game in the 2004 NCAA Tournament.

The Huskers will christen the Nebraska Soccer Field by playing six of their first eight contests at their new home. NU must then travel for six of its next eight games before closing out the regular season with a trio of Big 12 matches at home.

Postseason play begins at the Big 12 Tournament in San Antonio, Texas, where the Huskers will be looking to capture their sixth Big 12 Tournament championship. NCAA Tournament play opens on Friday, Nov. 11 with Nebraska seeking to post a victory in the tournament for the 10th consecutive season and advance to the Sweet 16 for the ninth time in the last 10 years.