NU Closes Non-Conference Play at Home

After its best start since 2000, the #24 Nebraska soccer team (5-0-1) hosts UC Davis and Saint Louis this week to finish its non-conference slate.

NU faces UC Davis (3-3-0) on Thursday before battling Saint Louis (4-2-0), a 2022 NCAA Tournament qualifier, on Sunday. The Huskers’ tilt against the Aggies begins at 7:05 p.m. (CT), and Sunday’s match against Saint Louis is set for 1:05 p.m. (CT). Both games will be streamed on B1G+, and fans can purchase tickets to each game by calling 1-800-8 BIG RED or by visiting Huskers.com/tickets.

Last Time Out

Senior Eleanor Dale scored twice in the first half as the Huskers recorded its second-straight shutout with the 4-0 victory over Kansas State on Sunday evening.

Next Up

The Huskers open Big Ten play at home next weekend when they welcome Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 7:05 p.m. (CT).

Kicking Off

• For the first time since October 2018, the Huskers are ranked in the Top 25 as they broke into the United Coaches and Top Drawer Soccer polls at No. 24.
• Dale, this week’s Top Drawer Soccer and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, currently leads the Big Ten in goals (8), game-winning goals (4), points (18), shots (32) and shots on goal (16). Additionally, Dale is currently tied for first in the country in game-winners, third in goals and fourth in shots per game (5.33).
• As a team, the Huskers are fifth in the nation in shots per game, as they are averaging 22.33, and the team is tied for ninth in the country with 22 goals in the first six games.
• Sunday’s win marked the first time since 2000 that the Huskers are undefeated through the first six games of the season, and the 22 goals combined to start the season ties for the most since 2011.
• In the goal, senior Sami Hauk has recorded 20 saves and is currently fifth in the conference standings. The Huskers have tallied three shutouts in six 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.
• Nebraska returns all four All-Big Ten performers from last season, junior Sarah Weber, seniors Reagan Raabe and Dale, and sophomore Lauryn Anglim. Nebraska’s all-time all-conference total increased to 106, including 36 honorees since joining the Big Ten in 2011. Weber became the 51st first-team all-conference selection in program history and seventh first-teamer for Nebraska as a member of the Big Ten. 
• During the off-season, both Dale and Weber were named to their respective national teams as Dale was called up to England’s U23 Squad and Weber made the U.S. U23 Women’s National team.
• Head Coach John Walker enters his 30th season, alongside assistant coaches Savanah Anderson-Baer (first season), Ian Bridge (eighth season) and Marty Everding (26th season).          

Scouting the UC Davis Aggies

• UC Davis is 3-3-0 this season. Last week, the Aggies dropped a pair of matches as they fell to Portland 1-0 and LMU 1-0.
• Last season, UC Davis went 9-6-4 and fell in the first round of the Big West conference tournament.
• Thursday’s game marks the first meeting between the teams.
• Head Coach Tracy Hamm is 29-28-4 in her fifth season at UC Davis. Hamm is assisted by Jody Lingafeldt and Chris King.
• Players to Watch
  • #22 Sam Tristan (Junior F/MF): Team-high three goals, while tallying 14 shots
  • #6 Leslie Fregoso (Senior MF): Team-high three assists
  • #1 Caeley Goldstein (Redshirt Junior GK): 15 saves in six games

Scouting the Saint Louis Billikens

• Saint Louis is 4-2-0 this season and enters the week with a 5-1 victory over SIUE.
• The Billikens visit Brown on Wednesday night before facing the Huskers on Sunday.
• Last season, SLU went 20-2-0 and qualified for the NCAA tournament, falling in the first round to Memphis.
• The all-time series between the teams is tied 2-2-0, dating back to the first meeting between the schools in 2007. Most recently, the Billikens came out on top last season, 5-1.
• Head Coach Katie Shields is in her 11th season at SLU with a 138-58-14 overall record. Shields is assisted by Chris Allen, Jenna Bracken and Cal McKee.
• Players to Watch
  • #8 Caroline Kelly (Senior F): Team-high five goals and 10 points
  • #16 Hannah Larson (Redshirt Junior MF/F): Team-high four assists and recorded one goal
  • #1 Emily Puricelli (Senior GK): 27 saves and four wins in six games