Husker Soccer Opens 2009 Season at Northern Colorado

Game 1: Nebraska (0-0-0) at Northern Colorado (0-0-0)
Date: Saturday, Aug. 22
Time: 8 p.m. CST
Location: Jackson Stadium, Greeley, Colo.

The Nebraska soccer team kicks off the 2009 regular season this Saturday as it opens play at Northern Colorado. The Huskers and Bears are set for an 8 p.m. Central start from Jackson Stadium in Greeley, Colo. Nebraska has spent the week in the Centennial state, following a 2-0 exhibition win over Colorado College on Tuesday afternoon. 

The Huskers return seven starters off last season's team that went 10-9-1 overall and finished fifth in the Big 12 Conference (6-4). Nebraska barely missed a spot in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, but is poised to make a run in 2009. Head Coach John Walker will field two all-conference performers in senior defender Carly Peetz (2008 All-Big 12 Second Team) and sophomore forward Molly Thomas (2008 Big 12 All-Newcomer Team). 

Nebraska was very strong in the 2009 spring season, compiling an 8-1-3 record. The Huskers' lone loss came at Florida, while NU notched notable wins over Arizona State, Washington State and Minnesota.

The Huskers will be on the road for the first three weeks of the 2009 season, as they also play two games at the Villanova Classic (Aug. 28-30) before returning to Lincoln for the home opener Sept. 4 vs. Lamar. The annual Meet-N-Beat the Huskers is next Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Nebraska Soccer Field at 6:30 p.m.

Scouting the Northern Colorado Bears
Northern Colorado returns six starters off a team that went 7-13-0 (2-5-0 Big Sky) in 2008. The Bears are seeking improvement this fall behind sophomore Ariel Cook, who led the squad with 11 points last season. The Bears played a pair of exhibition games last weekend, tying Metro State, 2-2, before falling to nationally-ranked Colorado, 2-1, in Boulder. Freshman midfielder Alexsys Tamayo scored a goal in each contest.

Husker History Versus the Bears
Nebraska and Northern Colorado have met only once in school history, with the Huskers earning a 7-0 win over the Bears on Sept. 17, 2004 in Lincoln. Brittany Timko had one of the best performances of her illustrious career, scoring three goals and adding three assists in the victory. Nikki Baker also scored twice for NU.

Meet-N-Beat the Huskers Set for Next Wednesday
The annual Meet-N-Beat the Huskers will take place next Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Nebraska Soccer Field from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The 2009 Nebraska soccer team will be on hand to sign autographs and interact with the fans, while the NU Marketing Department will provide free pizza and pop to the first 400 youth and and have three inflatable games (quarterback toss, baseball speed pitch and field goal kick) available.

Fans will also have a chance to take home the new 2009 posters and schedule cards.

Peetz, Caniglia Look to Lead Huskers
Nebraska's success in 2009 could rely heavily on senior defenders Carly Peetz and Anna Caniglia. The duo is part of a six-person senior class, with both entering the year having started all 59 games of their careers. Peetz ended 2008 as an All-Big 12 second-team selection, while she was also named to the 2009 preseason All-Big 12 squad. Both provide some offensive punch as well, as Caniglia posted 11 points in 2008, while Peetz totaled six.

Mills, Macdonald Compete for Starting Goalkeeper Spot
Juniors Jessica Mills and Tara Macdonald look to compete for the starting goalkeeper position in 2009 after the Huskers lost Brittany Pfeil to graduation.

Mills started all 19 games of the 2007 season, posting a 1.68 goals-against average, while holding three opponents scoreless. The same year, Macdonald started eight contests for Oklahoma, giving up 1.19 goals per game for the Sooners and posting two shutouts. After transitional years in 2008 (Mills five starts; Macdonald did not play due to transfer), the pair posted an impressive six shutouts for NU during the spring season. The duo split time in the net during NU's 2-0 shutout on Tuesday.

Nebraska Will Face Four Ranked Big 12 Opponents in 2009
Nebraska will again have one of the nation's most competitive schedules in 2009, as four Big 12 teams are ranked in the top 25 of Soccer America's 2009 Preseason Poll.

Texas A&M is the highest rated conference team at No. 9, followed by 13th-ranked Missouri, No. 17 Colorado and No. 24 Oklahoma State.

The Huskers defeated Missouri last season in double overtime (3-2 on Sept. 28, 2008) at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

In the 2009 spring season, Nebraska earned a 1-0 victory over Washington State, who is ranked No. 22 in the preseason top 25. The Huskers also tied USC, 3-3, as the Trojans came in at No. 12, and went 0-1-1 against No. 10 Florida (3-1 loss, 1-1 tie).

Review: Huskers Defeat Colorado College in Exhibition, 2-0
Senior Anna Caniglia and freshman Jordan Jackson each scored goals for the Husker soccer team on Tuesday, as Nebraska won its lone exhibition game of the 2009 season, 2-0, over Colorado College.

The Huskers and Tigers played three 30-minute periods, with junior goalkeepers Jessica Mills and Tara Macdonald splitting time in net for Nebraska and tallying three saves apiece.

Jackson's game-winning goal came in the 43rd minute off an assist from senior Carly Peetz. Caniglia then found the net at the beginning of the third period (61st minute) on a one-timer assisted by sophomore Molly Thomas.

Nebraska totaled 13 shots overall, while Colorado College had nine, but the teams split the shots on goal battle, 6-6.

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To join the 2009 Nebraska Soccer E-mail List, please e-mail bgries@huskers.com.