Louisville Hosts Nebraska for Annual Exhibition

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? The Nebraska women’s soccer team takes to the field this Saturday, Aug. 25 at Noon to start its 2007 campaign with the fourth annual Jenna Cooper Memorial Exhibition Match against the Louisville Cardinals in Louisville, Ky.Nebraska returns to Kentucky after falling to the Cardinals last year, 2-1, but still leading the exhibition series 2-1. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

The game serves as a memorial to former Husker Jenna Cooper. The Louisville native served as a team co-captain in 2003 and was chosen as the captain for the 2004 season. She was a three-year starter for NU and one of the top defenders in the Big 12 Conference.

 

Cooper started 69 of 70 career games for NU and scored 33 points on four goals and 25 assists. She led the team in 2003 with 14 assists and ranked second in points with 18. Her 14 assists placed her third on the NU single-season chart.

 

The memorial match serves as the unofficial kickoff to the Huskers’ 14th season under Coach John Walker. Walker welcomes a pair of new assistant coaches to the sidelines this season in Wally Crittenden and Michelle Demko, while the roster features returning contributors who will be joined by several players coming back from injury as well as 14 true freshmen.

 

Abby Penas is back for her senior season after redshirting last year and looks to boost the Huskers’ defense. Sophomore Lauren Isenhower, returning in September, will add offense to the Husker attack after a knee injury sidelined her last year. Megan Hungerford joins the comeback trail after sitting out last season. She’ll look to build on her past experience and step into the starting lineup in 2007.

 

The veterans will be joined by an exceptional ensemble of 14 freshmen. The group boasts a collection of awards and honors, while having a distinctly local flavor. Two Lincoln natives, Jamie Sanchez, a graduate of Lincoln Lutheran, and Pius X graduate Alexa Cardona join the Huskers in 2007, while five Omaha athletes add their talent to the squad as well. Other freshmen include 6-0 forward Jaclyn White and goalkeeper Jessica Mills, who graduated early from high school to join the Huskers. A former U.S. National Team player, Brittany Goosen rounds out a solid freshman class.

 

Those fresh faces will be integrated into the Husker program through the experience and leadership of senior Jessie Bruch and juniors Aysha Jamani and Selenia Iacchelli. Bruch looks to cap her Husker career with a deep run into postseason play, while Jamani and Iacchelli will attempt to step into roles as leaders on and off the field.