Huskers Selected to Host First and Second Rounds

The <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska soccer team earned its 10th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament when the field of 64 was announced live on ESPNews Monday afternoon. The 13-7-1 Huskers, who finished tied for second in the Big 12 Conference, will host a four-team regional consisting of second-seeded Portland, Iowa State and Creighton.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Portland and IowaState will square off at 11:05 a.m. on Friday in the opening game. The Nebraska-Creighton match will follow at 2:05 p.m. The winners of the first round will meet in the second round at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.

 

NU Head Coach John Walker was pleased that the Huskers would serve as host for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001, but anticipates a tough first-round match with in-state rival Creighton.

 

“We’re delighted to be at home,” Walker said. “We know Portland is the favorite in the group, but Creighton, Iowa State and ourselves have had excellent seasons.

 

“Last year our games against Creighton were close and competitive and we expect the same on Friday.”

 

Portland is the No. 1 seed in the Huskers’ quadrant with an 18-0-1 record. IowaState, which also tied for second in the Big 12 Conference is 11-6-3 and Creighton has a record of 12-5-3. Creighton and Portland each earned automatic bids by winning their respective conference tournaments, while NU and ISU earned at-large berths.

 

NU has enjoyed great success in the NCAA Tournament in the 12-year history of the program. The Huskers have won at least one game in each of the previous nine tournaments in school history and have advanced to the Sweet 16 in eight of the last nine seasons. Nebraska has also made two trips to the Elite Eight and is 13-8-1 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.