Huskers Host SMU, DePaul to Open Season

The No. 13 Nebraska soccer team begins the 2014 campaign with two games this weekend at the Nebraska Soccer Field. On Friday, the Huskers take on SMU at 6 p.m. (CT) before facing DePaul on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Huskers and Mustangs are meeting for the first time since 1996 and for the third time overall in their respective histories. The series is tied 1-1-0 with the road team taking each match.

Nebraska battles DePaul for the third time also, but the Huskers hold a 2-0-0 advantage in the series. NU hosted both previous matches, with the most recent occurring in 2003.

Both matches will be streamed live on Huskers.com.

Last Time Out: Johnson’s Hat Trick Leads NU in Exhibition Victory
Sophomore forward Jaycie Johnson scored three goals to help No. 13 Nebraska to a 5-3 exhibition win over Colorado College at Stewart Field on Friday, Aug. 15.

Johnson’s first goal came in the 15th minute as she slid past the Tigers’ goalkeeper on the left side and put the ball in the back of an open net. Colorado College responded with two goals over the next 15 minutes to take a 2-1 advantage over the Huskers.

In the 34th minute, sophomore midfielder Caroline Flynn tied the score 2-2 with a shot from 20 yards out that soared above the goalkeeper’s head into the top right corner of the net.

Shortly after halftime, the Tigers reclaimed the lead with Rachel Herron’s goal off the crossbar in the 47th minute. Trailing 3-2, the Huskers scored three unanswered goals over the final 34 minutes to put away the victory.

Johnson, a Lake Winnebago, Mo., native, scored her second goal in the 57th minute from 12 yards out on the left side off an assist from Haley Hanson. She added her third goal of the afternoon in the 81st minute off a Samantha Areman assist to give Nebraska a 4-3 lead.

Junior forward Katie Kraeutner added Nebraska’s final goal with less than two minutes remaining on a direct kick from 20 yards out. The Huskers outshot Colorado College for the game, 15-8, while taking two more shots on goal, 8-6.

Sophomore Kelly Schatz earned the start at goalie and picked up three saves over 90 minutes.

Final Season at Nebraska Soccer Field
The Huskers begin their 10th and final season at the Nebraska Soccer Field this weekend before moving into the Nebraska Soccer and Tennis Complex next season. Since moving to campus in 2005, NU has compiled a 63-24-12 record, which includes an impressive 42-15-5 mark over the last six seasons.

2014 Season Outlook
Nebraska’s 2014 team includes five seniors as Head Coach John Walker begins his 21st season at the helm of the school’s soccer program. The Huskers also welcome back All-Big Ten second-team member Jaycie Johnson, who begins her sophomore year in 2014 after leading the team with 17 goals last season. The Huskers added 12 newcomers in the offseason in addition to their 12 returning letterwinners from 2013.

Huskers to Make Three BTN Appearances
Nebraska will appear on the Big Ten Network three times this season, while also making seven Big Ten Digital Network showings.

The Huskers open BTN’s 2014 soccer coverage on Thursday, Sept. 11 against Northwestern at the Nebraska Soccer Field. The game is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.

Nebraska will host Big Ten newcomer Maryland on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m., on BTN. The game was originally set for 1 p.m., but was changed for TV scheduling. NU’s final regular season appearance on the network is Thursday, Oct. 2 at Michigan at 2:30 p.m.

Huskers Ranked 13th in NSCAA Preseason Poll
The Nebraska soccer team earned the No. 13 spot in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Division I Preseason Rankings when the list was announced on Wednesday.

The Huskers will play three teams in the NSCAA preseason poll: No. 7 Michigan (Oct. 2), No. 15 Marquette (Aug. 31) and No. 24 Penn State (Oct. 24).