NU Closes Non-Conference Play Against Ranked Foes

Nebraska (3-2-1) at #14 Duke (4-1-1)
Thursday, Sept. 6 • 6 p.m. (CT)
Koskinen Stadium
Durham, N.C.

» Video Stream: ACC Network Extra
» Live Stats: GoDuke.us/2NkHcMQ
» Twitter Updates: @NebraskaSoccer

Nebraska (3-2-1) at #13 NC State (5-0-1)
Sunday, Sept. 9 • Noon (CT)
Dail Soccer Field/Track Complex
Raleigh, N.C.

» Video Stream: ACC Network Extra
» Live Stats: GoPack.com/SideArmStats
» Twitter Updates: @NebraskaSoccer

The Nebraska soccer team (3-2-1) looks to bounce back this week when the Huskers visit a pair of ranked opponents from the ACC to finish their non-conference slate.

NU faces No. 14 Duke (4-1-1) on Thursday before battling No. 13 NC State (5-0-1) on Sunday. Both teams made the 2017 NCAA Tournament, as the Blue Devils advanced to the College Cup Semifinals after winning the ACC regular-season title. The Wolfpack made the second round of the NCAA Tournament after finishing third in the ACC last season.

NU’s Thursday tilt against Duke begins at 6 p.m. (CT) at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, N.C. The game will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra, with a cable subscription required to watch.

Sunday’s match against NC State, set for noon (CT) at Dail Soccer Field/Track Complex in Raleigh, N.C., will also be streamed on ACC Network Extra. Fans can also follow the action on Twitter through @NebraskaSoccer.

Last Time Out
The Huskers lost to No. 18 Washington State, 2-1, on Friday night at Hibner Stadium before falling to Baylor, 6-0, in Waco, Texas on Sunday night.

Next Up
The Huskers open Big Ten play on the road next weekend when they visit Rutgers (Friday at 4 p.m. CT) and Maryland (Sunday at noon CT).

Quick Notes
• Nebraska is receiving three votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll, released on Sept. 4. The Huskers are in the midst of a four-game span where they face three teams ranked in the top 20.

• Senior Savanah Uveges leads the Huskers in points (8) and goals (3), while sharing the team high in assists (2) with junior Brenna Ochoa.

Scouting the Duke Blue Devils

• No. 14 Duke is 4-1-1 this season after sweeping last weekend’s matches against Marquette and Providence. The Blue Devils’ lone loss of the season came against Illinois on Aug. 19.
• Nebraska leads the all-time series against Duke, 3-1-0, dating back to the first meeting between the schools in 1996. Duke won the last meeting in 2003. NU holds a 2-0 record at Duke.
• Head Coach Robbie Church holds a record of 223-119-47 in his 18th season at Duke. His career record is 310-168-58 in his 25th year overall. Church is assisted by Erwin van Bennekom, Carla Overbeck and Lane Davis.
• Players to Watch
  » No. 7 Taylor Racioppi (Senior Midfielder): Shares the team lead in goals scored (3)
  » No. 24 Mackenzie Pluck (Freshman Midfielder): Shares the team lead in goals (3)
  » No. 1 Brooke Heinsohn (Sophomore Goalkeeper): Has played every minute in goal this season, earning 22 saves and four shutouts in six appearances

Scouting the NC State Wolfpack

• No. 13 NC State is 5-0-1 this season with a pair of wins over ranked opponents (No. 10 South Carolina and No. 20 Princeton). The Wolfpack’s lone tie came against ECU on Aug. 23.
• Nebraska and NC State will be meeting for the first time in series history.
• Head Coach Tim Santoro is 44-56-7 in his sixth season at NC State. He is assisted by Glen Tourville and Stephen McKenna.
• Players to Watch
  » No. 2 Tziarra King (Junior Midfielder): Leads the team in goals (5), while tallying five assists
  » No. 8 Kia Rankin (Junior Forward): Has two goals and one assist this season
  » No. 12 Sydney Wootten (Senior Goalkeeper): Has played every minute in goal this season, earning 11 saves and shutouts in two of four appearances

Huskers Celebrating 25th Season in 2018

• The Nebraska soccer program is in its 25th year since the inaugural campaign in 1994. Head Coach John Walker has been at the helm of the team since its inception, guiding the Huskers to more than 300 all-time victories.
• Nebraska has made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in its first 24 seasons, including two trips to the Elite Eight and eight Sweet 16 berths.
• The Huskers have captured four conference regular-season titles and six conference tournament crowns. As a member of the Big 12, NU won the regular-season championship in 1996, 1999 and 2000, while winning the tournament title in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011 and two seasons later, swept the regular-season and tournament crowns.

Hibner Draws a Crowd

• The Huskers are in their fourth season playing at Barbara Hibner Stadium in 2018 after averaging more than 1,000 fans per game during each of their first three years at the venue.
• Through four home games this season, Nebraska has welcomed an average of 1,144 fans per home contest.
• In 2017, Nebraska averaged 1,064 fans per home contest to rank 21st nationally and second in the Big Ten. The total attendance during the season was 9,579.
• In 2016, NU averaged 1,182 fans per home game, which ranked 18th in the nation and second in the conference. The total attendance was 13,002, the second-highest season total in program history.
• During its inaugural season in 2015, Hibner Stadium drew an average of 1,381 fans per home match to lead the Big Ten and rank 13th in the country. It was the second-highest season average in program history. The total attendance during the season was 12,427.

Huskers Working Through Rigorous Schedule

• This season, Nebraska will face eight teams that qualified for the 2017 NCAA Tournament, including three that reached the Elite Eight and one that advanced to the College Cup Semifinals.
• Duke made it to the College Cup Semifinals after winning the ACC regular-season title. Baylor and Penn State also made the Elite Eight. The Nittany Lions, who captured the 2017 Big Ten Tournament title, will be the opponent for NU’s lone scheduled TV appearance of the season as Big Ten Network will televise the match on Sept. 27.
• Washington State made the Sweet 16 last season, while NC State, Rutgers and Wisconsin each advanced to the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
• Ohio State, who won the 2017 Big Ten regular-season crown, was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year.
• Four of Nebraska’s regular-season opponents are ranked in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll, released on Sept. 4. The teams are Penn State (No. 11), NC State (No. 13), Duke (No. 14) and Washington State (No. 17).