Huskers Open 2010 Season at New Mexico

Game 1: Nebraska (0-0-0) at New Mexico (0-0-0)
Date: Sunday, Aug. 22
Time: 1 p.m. CST
Location: UNM Soccer Complex (map), Albuquerque, N.M.
Live Stats: Click Here
Live Video:  Click Here

The Nebraska soccer team opens its 16th season in program history this Sunday when the Huskers travel south to take on New Mexico. The season opener for both teams will begin at 1 p.m. CST from the UNM Soccer Complex in Albuquerque, N.M. Live stats will be provided on www.golobos.com.

Nebraska returns nine starters off last season's team that went 11-5-4 overall and finished fourth in the Big 12 Conference (5-3-2). The Huskers ranked third in the NCAA with 3.10 goals per game in 2009, the highest scoring average by a Nebraska team since 2000 (4.0). This year's squad looks to be led by the returning 2009 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Morgan Marlborough, a sophomore forward from Lee's Summit, Mo. Nebraska also brings back two-time All-Big 12 selection Molly Thomas, a junior midfielder/forward from Omaha, Neb. As underclassmen in 2009, the duo combined for 29 of the team's 63 goals. In all, the Huskers return 70 percent of its goals (43-of-62) from last season.

As Nebraska begins its 16th season in program history, the same is true for head coach John Walker. Since 1994, Walker has become one of the most successful collegiate coaches in the nation with a 236-91-21 career record. He enters the 2010 season with the 13th-highest all-time winning percentage in the NCAA, as the Huskers have won 70.8 percent of their matches under Walker. He is also 18th in victories among active coaches.

Following this weekend, the Huskers return for the home opener Aug. 27 against Loyola University at 5 p.m. Earlier next week, fans will have an opportunity to meet the 2010 NU soccer team at the annual "Meet-N-Beat the Huskers." This year's event takes place Wednesday, Aug. 25 at the Nebraska Soccer Field from 6:30-8 p.m.

Scouting New Mexico
The Lobos return all but one starter from its 2009 squad that went 13-5-3 overall and finished fourth in the Mountain West Conference with a 4-3 league record. New Mexico features first-team all-conference selection Jennifer Williams, a senior forward who led the team with 10 goals and seven assists in 2009. The Lobos' second leading scorer is back as well in junior midfielder Zaneta Wyne, an 11-point contributor (five goals, one assist) a year ago.

New Mexico was one of the best defensive teams in the conference in 2009, giving up a league-best 15 total goals, an average of only 0.71 per game. The Lobos posted shutouts in 13 matches, tying them for 12th in the NCAA. Twelve of those shutouts came in victories, including a 1-0 win at Texas, while two were in scoreless ties. Sophomore goalkeeper Kelli Cornell was in net for all 13 shutouts as she led the Mountain West Conference in that category to go along with a solid 0.69 goals-allowed average.

Head Coach Kit Vela begins her 10th year at New Mexico in 2010. A graduate of Brown University (1990), Vela is 69-73-29 through nine seasons. Last year 13-win campaign was her best as the Lobos' head coach, while New Mexico also reached the double-digit win total in 2002 (12-8-1). Vela led that team to the MWC Tournament championship game, losing to BYU, 1-0. The Cougars also ended UNM's 2009 season in the MWC Tournament semifinals.

Husker History Against the Lobos
Nebraska and New Mexico have never met on the soccer field. The Huskers are 4-0-1 all-time against the Mountain West Conference. The last time Nebraska took on an MWC opponent was Sept. 9, 2007 when the Huskers tied San Diego State, 0-0, in Lincoln.

Marlborough Named to Hermann Trophy Watch List, Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Sophomore Morgan Marlborough has been named to the watch list for the 2010 Hermann Trophy, given annually to the nation's best women's collegiate soccer player, while she has also claimed a spot on the 2010 Preseason All-Big 12 Team.

Established in 1967, the Hermann Trophy is presented by the Missouri Athletic Club. The Husker forward is one of only 10 underclassmen on the 45-player watch list. Past winners of the award include Christine Sinclair, Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly, while Stanford's Kelly O'Hara claimed the 2009 honor.

Marlborough is the returning Big 12 Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year after leading the league in goals (21) and points (49) in 2009. A native of Lee's Summit, Mo., Marlborough guided the Huskers to an 11-5-4 season that included a fourth-place Big 12 finish (5-3-2). She was a unanimous freshman All-American and named to the NSCAA All-Central Region First Team.

The fifth-highest scorer in the NCAA last fall, Marlborough broke the freshman school record for single-season goals just 14 games into the season. She is just one of seven players in school history to produce multiple hat tricks in a career after she tied the single-game school record with four goals against Akron and then had three vs. Oklahoma.

Nebraska Soccer to Host Annual "Meet-N-Beat the Huskers" Next Wednesday
The Nebraska soccer program has announced its annual "Meet-N-Beat the Huskers" will be next Wednesday, Aug. 25 at the Nebraska Soccer Field (located just northeast of Memorial Stadium) from 6:30-8 p.m.

Fans attending the event will have an opportunity to meet the members of the 2010 Nebraska soccer team and participate in skills and drills with the players and coaching staff. Free Valentino's pizza will be available and fans will have a chance to pick up the new 2010 posters and schedule cards. The Huskers will also host an autograph session at the conclusion of the night.