Huskers Fall in College Station

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>College Station, Texas ? Texas A&M (9-3-1, 3-2-0 Big 12) scored two first-half goals en route to a 4-0 victory over the Nebraska soccer team on Sunday. Despite the loss, the Huskers (8-4-1, 3-1-1) ended their Texas road trip by picking up three points in the conference standings, and are currently tied for the Big 12 lead with Oklahoma with 10 points.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Texas A&M controlled the tempo early and had an excellent scoring chance in the 10th minute. After a high bounce in the box, the Aggies’ Melissa Garey controlled the ball and sent a shot on goal that bounded off the crossbar before being cleared by junior defender Tanya Dennis.

 

In the 15th minute, the Huskers nearly took a an early lead. Freshman Selenia Iacchelli sent a perfect through ball to junior Brittany Timko in the middle of the box, but Timko’s touch was immediately blocked by diving A&M goalkeeper Kati Jo Spisak.

 

Texas A&M converted on its 10th shot of the game at 22:01. Ashlee Pistorius scored from close range to give the Aggies a 1-0 lead. The goal was the first allowed by NU freshman goalkeeper Jamie Klages in 375:53. The goal also marked the first time Nebraska trailed in four games.

 

With 6:30 left in the first period, Timko won a free kick just past midfiled. Her kick narrowly missed the head of sophomore Jessie Bruch and freshman Jessie Goodell nearly caught up to the ball on a far-post run.

 

The Aggies scored on a breakaway at 42:26 for their second goal of the match. With the ball A&M sent a long pass downfield that Kat Krambeer was able to run down and get around the Husker defense to send a shot past Klages. That goal marked the first time NU has trailed by more than one goal at any time this season and was also the first time Klages has allowed more than one goal in nine starts.

 

In the first half, A&M outshot Nebraska, 11-2, and won three corner kicks while holding the Huskers without a corner.

 

Nebraska’s first quality chance in the second half came in the 61st minute. Freshman Aysha Jamani sent a ball to Timko, who made a long run before sending a cross targeted for senior Nikki Baker. Baker collided with an Aggie defender, but recovered and had a one-on-one opportunity with Spisak, who stole the ball off Baker’s foot.

 

The Aggies added their third goal at 71:09 when Kat Krambeer scored her second goal of the game. Krambeer added her third goal at 74:25 to give the Aggies a 4-0 lead.

 

Timko had a free kick from the center of the field from 25 yards out with less than 1:30 remaining in the game, but her shot curved just wide in Nebraska's last scoring chance of the game.

 

The Huskers wrap up a four-game road trip next weekend with a Friday match at Oral Roberts and a Big 12 contest at Texas on Sunday.