Huskers Host Central Michigan, BYU at Home

Game #2: Nebraska vs. Central Michigan
Location: Hibner Stadium
Date: Friday, Aug. 28
Time: 7:05 p.m. CT
Live Stats: Huskers.com
Live Stream: Huskers.com

Game #3: Nebraska vs. No. 11 BYU
Location: Hibner Stadium
Date: Monday, Aug. 31
Time: 7:05 p.m. CT
Live Stats: Huskers.com
Live Stream: Huskers.com

 

The Nebraska soccer team continues its preliminary three-game home stretch for the 2015 season, taking on Central Michigan on Friday, Aug. 28 and No. 11 BYU the following Monday, Aug. 31. Both games are slated to start at 7:05 p.m. at Hibner Stadium.

The Huskers will meet the Chippewas for only the second time in program history, with the two teams’ last and only meeting occurring in 2006. CMU holds the slight 1-0-0 advantage over NU heading into Friday’s match.

Nebraska will face 11th-ranked BYU on Monday for the fifth time in series history, with the Huskers leading the record 3-1-0. The Big Red last met the Cougars in 2013, where NU dropped the decision 3-0.

On Friday, free T-shirts will be given to the first 250 students in addition to a schedule magnet giveaway for all fans. Monday’s game serves as staff appreciation night, offering two free admission passes with a faculty/staff N Card. Both games will be steamed live on Huskers.com.

Last Time Out: Huskers Shut Out No. 23 Kansas in Season Debut
Lincoln, Neb.-- The Nebraska soccer team’s senior duo of Katie Kraeutner and Jaylyn Odermann led the Huskers to a 3-0 win over No. 23 Kansas in the 2015 season opener on Friday night.

Nebraska’s victory came in front of 1,720 fans at in the regular-season debut of Barbara Hibner Stadium, as the program’s largest home crowd since Aug. 27, 2004.

The Huskers (1-0) wasted no time getting on the board, as Kraeutner tricked a defender off an assist from Odermann from 25 yards out to find the net in the ninth minute to give the Big Red a 1-0 lead.

Odermann added Nebraska’s second goal just four minutes later, heading in a ball off a cross in the box from junior Courtney Claassen at the 13-minute mark. Odermann finished off a huge opening night with her second goal of the game and the season in the 37th minute, taking advantage of a penalty kick just inside the box to extend the Husker lead to 3-0.

Despite Kansas outshooting NU 13-7, the Huskers were able to keep the Jayhawks at bay in the second half to come away with the 3-0 win.

Sophomore Erika Johnson notched her first career regular season start at goalkeeper, notching her first career shutout while recording six saves.

Scouting the Central Michigan Chippewas
Central Michigan opened the 2015 season with a 2-2 double-overtime draw against Oakland on the road last Sunday. Freshman Alexis Pelafas and junior Samantha Maher scored the goals for CMU, while senior goalkeeper Maddy Bunnell gave up two goals and made 11 total saves in the net for the Chippewas. After Nebraska, CMU will take on Creighton for a Sunday matchup.

Scouting the BYU Cougars
BYU is fresh off a preseason top-25 matchup, overtaking then-No. 18 Cal 2-0 on Friday in the Outrigger Resorts Soccer Classic in Waipahu, Hawaii. Juniors Elena Medeiros and Ashley Hatch notched the two goals for the Cougars to come out with the win over the Golden Bears. Junior transfer Rachel Boaz recorded her first career shutout at goalkeeper for BYU, stopping eight shots on goal. Before Monday’s kick against the Huskers, BYU will face off against Colorado at home on Friday, Aug. 28.

Hibner Stadium: The Inaugural Season
After 10 years at the Nebraska Soccer Field, the Huskers have a new home at Hibner Stadium and Field as part of the Nebraska Soccer and Tennis Complex. Named after former Nebraska senior women’s administrator Barbara Hibner, the soccer complex features an all-grass, regulation size field, stadium lights, quality seating for 2,500 fans and a support facility with direct access to fan amenities.

2015 Season Outlook
Head Coach John Walker enters his 22nd season at the helm of the Huskers squad. The 2015 team features seven returning starters from last year, including the lone senior duo Katie Kraeutner and Jaylyn Odermann, while welcoming seven newcomers to the mix. Walker has guided the Huskers to a 290-133-27 overall record since the program’s debut in 1996, placing him among the top-20 winningest active coaches in NCAA Division I by victories.

Huskers to Make Three BTN Appearances
Nebraska will be featured on the Big Ten Network twice this season, while also appearing on the Big Ten Digital Network six times over the course of the year.
The Huskers open BTN’s 2015 soccer coverage on Friday, Sept. 18 against Michigan at the U-M Soccer Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. CT.
Nebraska will also play at Illinois on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m., featured on BTN.