Nebraska Soccer Advances to Big 12 Tournament Semifinals with 2-1 Win Over Kansas

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>San Antonio, Texas - Christine Latham and the University of Nebraska soccer team defeated Kansas, 2-1, in the first round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament Thursday night at the Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.

<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Latham scored her 11th goal of the season at the 31:37 mark when sophomore Jenna Cooper sent a beautiful cross to Latham on a free kick after a KU foul.  The Calgary, Alberta, native made an excellent play and headed the ball into the right corner of the net.

 

Sophomore Lindsey Ingram buried the game-winning shot 15 minutes into the second half from about 10 yards out on a Kari Hogan assist.

 

Kansas never gave up, with KU freshman Caroline Smith firing a rebound from Lauren Williams from six yards out to close the Nebraska lead to one at the 68:01 mark.

 

"I thought we fought hard, but we could have put the game away a little earlier," Coach John Walker said.  "We could have made it three to nothing, and we could have rested some players.  They got one and we played it out until the end."

 

The win was a complete team effort for Nebraska.  The Husker defense played one of their best games of the season, with junior Christy Harms playing an outstanding game in the center in place of Breanna Boyd who is currently playing with the Canadian National Team.

 

"We performed well, and the most important thing is that we won," Walker said.  "Just like last Friday, they (the defense) are a good group, and it was good goalkeeping by Erin, and Christy, Jenna and Katie (Bunkers).  They did a good job of not getting penetrated on and had a solid performance."

 

Harms blocked several KU shots that looked to be serious scoring threats for the Jayhawks, including a shot by Jessica Smith with 45 seconds left in the contest.

 

Kansas outshot Nebraska, 23-13, with most of their shots coming from long range.  NU, however, got off eight shots on goal opposed to KU?s seven.  The Huskers also outcornered Kansas, 6-2.

 

Miller made six saves in the contest and posted her 12th win of the season, but the first non-shutout decision of the year.  KU goalkeeper Meghan Miller made five saves and surrendered two goals.

 

Nebraska (12-5-3) will take on the No. 5 Texas Longhorns at 5 p.m. at the Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio.  The game will be televised live by Fox Sports Net Southwest. It will be replayed at 3 p.m. local time Sunday on FoxSportsNetRockyMountain and Midwest.