Huskers Fall in First Road Game

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Champaign, Ill. ? An unfortunate bounce off the crossbar in the 61st minute led to the only goal of the game, as Illinois handed the Nebraska soccer team its first loss of the season, 1-0, Friday night at the Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Natasha Karniski, attempting to cross the ball, ended up with the game-winning goal after her cross bounced off the crossbar and found the back of the net. With the win, Illinois improved to 1-1-1, while the Huskers dropped to 2-1-0.

 

Karniski’s goal was not only the first of the season for Illinois, but the first goal allowed by NU freshman goalkeeper Jamie Klages, who made her second career start. Klages recorded three saves and saw her scoreless minute streak end at 150:37.

 

The Fighting Illini outshot NU, 18-8, and placed six shots on goal, while the Huskers managed only three shots on goal. Illinois also earned six corner kicks to Nebraska’s three.

 

The Husker offense, which produced seven goals in the first two games of the season, was shutout for the first time since Oct. 29 of last season against Colorado. Junior Brittany Timko paced the offense with two shots, while freshmen Aysha Jamani and Lauren Isenhower and senior Sasha Andrews each placed one shot on goal.

 

Freshman Ali Lokanc made her first career start in the loss, filling in at defender for senior Aly Scace, who suffered a season-ending injury earlier in the week.

 

The Huskers are off for the rest of the weekend and will appear at the Husker Nation Pavilion, which is located at the new Nebraska Soccer Field, before the Nebraska-Maine football game on Saturday. Admission to the Pavilion is free and the gates open at 3 p.m. NU returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts San DiegoState at 5 p.m. at the Nebraska Soccer Field.