NU Hosts Rutgers, Visits Northwestern

This week, the Nebraska soccer team hosts Rutgers on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. (CT) before facing Northwestern on the road in Evanston, Ill., beginning at 2 p.m. (CT). Thursday’s match will be televised nationally on Big Ten Network, and Sunday’s match will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.

Last Time Out
Despite outshooting No. 4 Penn State 16-13 on the road, the Nebraska soccer team dropped its first conference match of the season, falling 1-0 to the Nittany Lions on Sunday afternoon.

Next Up

The Huskers will return home to face Iowa on Senior Day at Hibner Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 7 at 1:05 p.m. (CT).

Quick Notes

• The NCAA released the second RPI of the season on Monday, and Nebraska is ranked 27th.
• Nebraska’s devoted fan base has continued its strong attendance numbers at Hibner Stadium this season. In five matches this season, NU welcomed 5,599 fans overall, an average of 1,120 per contest. This average ranks 21st nationally and is fourth in the Big Ten.
• Dale earned her second-straight Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor this month as she currently leads the country and conference in total goals (13) and game-winning goals (5), while also leading the conference in shots (55), shots on goal (27) and points (28). Additionally, she’s tallied five braces in just 11 games to open the season.
• Junior forward Sarah Weber has continued her strong offensive attack as she is second in the conference standings in shots (49) and shots on goal (22), and sixth in goals (6) and points (15).
• As a team, the Huskers are fourth in the nation in shots per game (20.36), seventh in assists per game (2.91), 10th in points per game (8.55) and tied for eighth in total goals (31).
• In the goal, senior Sami Hauk has recorded 36 saves and is currently fifth in the conference standings in saves per game (3.27). The Huskers have tallied three shutouts in 11 contests.
• The Huskers’ six goals against Eastern Washington marked the most finishes the Huskers have tallied in a regular season match since the 2011 victory against Northern Arizona (8-1) and the most goals on the road since the win in 2009 at Kansas (7-4). Additionally, that was the first time since NU’s victory over Missouri in 2021 that the Big Red has netted four or more goals in the second half.
• This season’s win over Eastern Washington also marked the 350th win in program history. Head Coach John Walker achieved the same milestone, having been at the helm of the program since its inception in 1994.
• Head Coach John Walker is in his 30th season, alongside assistant coaches Savanah Anderson-Baer (first season), Ian Bridge (eighth season) and Marty Everding (26th season).      

Scouting the Rutgers Scarlet Knights

• Rutgers is 5-4-2 overall with a 1-2-0 record in Big Ten play. The Scarlet Knights enter the week after a recent 1-0 victory over Purdue at home.
• The Scarlet Knights lead the overall series between the two teams, 1-0-6, dating back to the first meeting between the teams in 2014. Before last season, each match in the series history had been a tie.
• Head Coach Mike O’Neill is 128-37-31 in his 10th season at Rutgers. He is assisted by Lubos Ancin, Madison Richard and Ryan Nigro.
• Players to Watch
  • #35 Allison Lowrey (Senior F) – Team high six goals and 14 points
  • #73 Riley Tiernan (Junior F) – Teah high three assists and 27 shots 
  • #0 Olivia Bodmer (Sophomore GK) – Has tallied 34 saves and earned five wins

Scouting the Northwestern Wildcats

• Northwestern is 7-2-2 this season with a 1-2-0 record in Big Ten play. The Wildcats face Illinois on Thursday night before their matchup against Nebraska on Sunday.
• Northwestern leads the all-time series between the two teams, 6-7-3, dating back to 1995. 
• Head Coach Michael Moynihan is (112-86-39) in his 12th season at Northwestern. Moynihan is assisted by Morgan Ruhl, Rich Manning and Jennie Clark.
• Players to Watch
  • #34 Meg Boade (Senior MF) – Team high 17 points (four goals and nine assists)
  • #8 Josie Aulicino (Senior MF) – Four goals and six assists on the season
  • #1 Reiley Fitzpatrick (Sophomore GK) – Has tallied 28 saves and earned seven wins