Huskers Stay in Hunt for NCAA Tournament Bid

The Nebraska soccer team (7-7-2, 3-5-2 Big Ten) has its sights set on making the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments when the Huskers face Maryland in their home finale at Hibner Stadium on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. (CT).

The Huskers enter the matchup against the Terrapins with a strong RPI of 42, which makes the Huskers a potential NCAA Tournament qualifier. In addition, Nebraska is ranked No. 3 nationally in strength of schedule and is averaging 1,418 fans per game at its home matches at the new Hibner Stadium this season. A total of 11,344 fans have attended games at Hibner Stadium this season, which ranks fifth in school history. The total is the 17th-highest in the NCAA this season.

The Huskers are in 10th place in the Big Ten standings and need to finish in the top eight (after tiebreakers) to earn a spot in the tournament.

A Nebraska win against Maryland paired with an Illinois loss (or tie) against Minnesota and a Michigan State win over Ohio State puts the Huskers in the Big Ten Tournament. All three games are set for Wednesday night.

Wednesday also marks Senior Night, as the Huskers will pay tribute to Jaylyn Odermann and Katie Kraeutner with an on-field presentation before the game.

“Both players have gotten the most of their experience here at Nebraska and their teammates know that Katie and Jaylyn have given everything they have as teammates and contributors to the program,” Head Coach John Walker said. “Jaylyn has grown into one of the best fullbacks in the Big Ten, as she is not only an excellent defender but also very dangerous in attack. Her growth in the areas of leadership, preparation and contribution to team dynamics have really been impressive.

“Katie’s love for the game is contagious and commitment to player development has been a model for our younger players to emulate. She has been hampered by injuries this season, but has still managed to have a big influence on her teammates.”

Big Ten Tournament Tiebreakers

1. Head-to-head results

2. Most wins in all Conference games

3. Best record by points (3=win, 1=tie, 0=loss) versus mutually-played conference teams seeded above tied teams at the beginning of the process (canceled games shall not be awarded any points for seeding purposes)

Ex: If Tied Team #1 has played 3 of the 4 teams seeded above the tied teams and Tied Team #2 has played 4 of the 4 teams, the records by points will be calculated using the match results from the 3 higher-seeded teams which competed against both of the tied teams

4. Goal differential with a maximum difference of three, plus or minus counted for any conference game

5. Most goals scored in conference competition

6. Best record determined by points versus mutually-played conference teams seeded below tied teams

Ex: If Tied Team #1 has played 8 of the 8 teams seeded below the tied teams and Tied Team #2 has played 6 of the 8 teams, the records by points will be calculated using the match results from the 6 lower-seeded teams which competed against both of the tied teams 

7. Coin flip