Missed Chances Costly in 2-1 Loss

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>West Lafayette, Ind. ? Despite a tremendous effort from the Nebraska soccer team, Purdue erased an early 1-0 deficit and withstood two shots that hit the post and several excellent scoring chances in the second half to hold off the Huskers, 2-1, on Friday at the Varsity Soccer Complex.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

The loss ? the first of the year for NU when scoring first ? dropped the Huskers to 4-3-0 on the year, while Purdue improved to 3-4-0.

 

NU got off to a quick start, taking an early 1-0 lead at 16:11. Junior Brittany Timko sent the Huskers’ seventh corner kick of the first 16 minutes into the box where senior Sasha Andrews headed the ball to freshman Aysha Jamani, who found the back of the net for her team-leading fourth goal of the season.

 

Purdue wasted no time in tying the game, scoring the equalizer just 46 seconds later. Kim Comisar sent a service into the box where Lauren Sesselmann won the ball and sent a perfectly placed header to the top corner of the net to beat NU junior goalkeeper Katie Wright.

 

The Boilermakers took the lead at 36:13 when Comisar again sent a ball into the box that deflected off an NU defender. With the ball loose, Jessica Okoroafo got to it and sent a low shot past Wright for what proved to be the game-winning goal.

 

The game was nearly tied at intermission after freshman Selenia Iacchelli took a shot from just outside the Purdue box that deflected off a defender, forcing Boilermaker goalkeeper Lauren Mason to punch the ball off the crossbar. The Boilermakers also had an excellent scoring chance in the half that they were unable to convert. In the 20th minute, a misplay of the ball led to a Purdue breakaway, but the Husker defenders slowed up the attack and allowed time for Wright to sprint back and make a sliding foot save.

 

In the second half, NU outshot the Boilermakers, 9-7, and had several quality scoring chances, but was unable to convert. Iacchelli nearly tied the game again in the 50th minute, but her shot was again unlucky and bounced off the near post.

 

In a six-minute span midway through the second period, the Huskers mounted three terrific scoring threats. The first came when junior Tanya Dennis sent a ball to Timko deep in the box, but the Boilermakers’ defense swarmed Timko and she was unable to get off a good shot.

 

Two minutes later, Timko had a one-on-one opportunity with Mason, but Mason made a diving save to preserve the lead. In the next two minutes, NU’s pressure mounted and culminated with freshman Danielle Schoen finding a rebound of a Timko shot from 10 yards out and sending an open shot high and wide of the goal.

 

The Huskers continued to control the second half and perhaps the best opportunity to tie the game came with just 1:30 remaining. After the referee waved off an offside flag from the sideline official, freshman Lauren Isenhower found herself one-on-one with Mason deep in the box, but Mason was able to deflect her shot.

 

For the game, Purdue outshot Nebraska, 15-14, but NU won eight corner kicks to the Boilermakers’ five. In net, Wright recorded three saves for the Huskers, while Mason totaled five saves, including several from point-blank range.

 

The Huskers return home on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match with UC Irvine in their final tune up before Big 12 Conference play begins. Live audio and live statistics will be available on Huskers.com.

 

Notes: Timko's assist was her team-leading seventh of the season and the 21st of her career, earning her sole possession of 10th place on the NU career record list...Andrews' assist was her first of the season to go along with three goals...Nebraska is now 3-1 this year when scoring first.