Huskers Expect to Challenge for Final Four Bid in 1999

Lincoln -- The Nebraska women's soccer team closed its 1999 spring exhibition season with an impressive 3-1 victory over Santa Clara in Lincoln on April 17.

Jenny Benson's goal on a penalty kick at 75:19 gave the Huskers their biggest win of the spring in front of 1,019 fans at the Abbott Sports Complex. Kelly Rheem had earned the penalty kick for the Huskers after being taken down in the box.

Shannon Tanaka added an insurance goal for the Huskers at 86:25 off an assist from Lindsay Eddleman.

The Huskers trailed the Broncos at halftime after Jacqui Little's goal at 19:52 gave Santa Clara a 1-0 lead. But Becky Preston tied the score at 1-1 for the Huskers with her goal off assists from Meghan Anderson and Tanaka at 64:31.

The three goals scored by the Huskers equalled the total allowed by Santa Clara goalkeeper Crystal Gordon during the entire 1998 campaign. As a team, the Broncos allowed a nation-leading four goals while finishing with a 22-1-1 record and final No. 3 national ranking in 1998.

Nebraska's victory over the Broncos, who have advanced to three consecutive NCAA semifinals, allowed the Huskers to improve to 2-1-1 during the spring season. Nebraska's only blemishes came with a 2-0 loss at defending national champion Florida on Feb. 27, and a 1-1 tie to 14-time NCAA champion and 1998 NCAA runner-up North Carolina on April 11 in Chapel Hill.

The Huskers' other win during the spring came with a 1-0 victory at Alabama on March 7. The Crimson Tide also advanced to the 1998 NCAA Tournament.

Nebraska finished the 1998 season with a 17-4-1 mark and a final No. 10 national ranking after advancing to its third consecutive Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers have finished each of the past three seasons ranked in the nation in the NSCAA Poll top 10.