Huskers Shutout Cowgirls, 2-0

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Stillwater, Okla. ? Freshman Sari Raber scored the first goal of her career and sophomore goalkeeper Katie Wright recorded her sixth shutout of the season and second in the last three games to lead Nebraska to a 2-0 victory on Friday night at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

With the win, Nebraska improved to 12-5 overall and 6-2 in the Big 12 Conference. NU is now 5-0 on the road this season. OklahomaState dropped to 11-4-2 and 3-4-1.

 

“It was a workman-like effort,” NU Head Coach John Walker said. “We did well at the back and in goal. We worked hard tonight and stayed away from errors.”

 

Nebraska took a 1-0 lead with 3:58 seconds remaining in the first half. The Huskers won a corner kick and sophomore Brittany Timko’s kick found junior Sasha Andrews, who headed it on goal. Andrews’ shot was saved by OSU goalkeeper Breanna Truelove, but Truelove was unable to control it and the ball was deflected in. Vern Fitzgerald was in the area was able to beat the keeper for the Huskers' first goal.

 

NU added another goal 2:09 into the second half. Andrews controlled the ball at the top of the box and found Raber, who turned off a defender and sent a ball on net that an OSU defender was able to get a piece off, but was unable to stop.

 

The Huskers nearly added a third goal with 11:00 minute remaining. Sophomore Tanya Dennis won a foul just outside the box and Timko’s free kick was tipped by Truelove, then bounded off the crossbar and back to Truelove before the ball was finally cleared.

 

For the game, the teams each recorded 14 shots, but NU placed seven shots on goal to the Cowgirls’ five. In goal, Wright and Truelove each made five saves.

 

Nebraska returns to action on Sunday for its final regular-season road game of the season. The Huskers will face the Oklahoma Sooners at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Norman.