Huskers Top Longhorns, 4-3

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? Junior Nikki Baker recorded two assists and scored two goals, including her second straight game winner, as the Nebraska soccer team outscored Texas, 4-3, in an offensive game on Friday before 1,008 fans at the Abbott Sports Complex.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

With the win, Nebraska won its seventh consecutive match and improved to 10-3 overall and 4-0 in the Big 12 Conference. Texas dropped to 7-5 and 3-3.

 

“I thought we played great,” NU Head Coach John Walker said. “We’re doing the small things we need to do to win games and there’s good belief in what we’re doing. It was a true team effort and there is a great sense of belief in the locker room.”

 

The Longhorns scored first just 3:05 into the game, the fastest goal NU has allowed this season. The Huskers then took the lead for good on back-to-back goals at 8:00 and 8:43 into the game.

 

Baker took a shot that Texas’ goalkeeper Alex Gagarin was able to deflect, but senior Brooke Bredenberg was there to put the ball in the back of the net for the Huskers' first goal.

 

Then it was Baker’s turn to score just 43 seconds later. Sophomore goalkeeper Katie Wright launched a kick to just outside the opposite box and Baker was able to run it down and put it past Gagarin.

 

Sophomore Brittany Timko added her Big 12 leading 13th goal of the season at 27:05 to give Nebraska a 3-1 lead. Junior Katie Bunkers sent a ball to Baker, who delivered a perfect cross in front of the net, where Timko was able to beat Gagarin with a diving header.

 

The Longhorns closed the gap to 3-2 at the half after Caitlin Kennedy scored from just inside the box at 27:55.

 

Baker scored her second goal of the game 15:33 into the second half on a great individual effort. Baker took a ball 30 yards out and beat a defender before splitting a double team, turning, and firing the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out.

 

Texas added a late goal by Kelly Wilson in the 75th minute, but was unable to tie the game.

 

In goal, Wright recorded five saves for NU, while Gagarin made six saves in her first start of the year for Texas. The Longhorns outshot NU, 17-15, but the Huskers put 10 shots on goal to Texas' eight.

 

In the game, Baker tied a season and career high with two goals and set new career highs with two assists and six points in a game. The Bixby, Okla., native also tied a career high by recording her 20th point of the season. As a freshman in 2002, Baker also scored 20 points for the season.

 

Nebraska next hosts Texas A&M on Sunday at 1 p.m. in a contest between the Big 12’s top two teams. The Aggies are 6-0 in league play after defeating Colorado, 2-1, on Friday, while the Huskers are 4-0 in the Big 12. Live audio, as well as live stats for Sunday’s game will be available on Huskers.com.