Huskers Draw with Buffs in Double Overtime

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? In its school-record fifth overtime game of the year, the Nebraska soccer team tied Colorado, 1-1, in double overtime on Friday afternoon in the Huskers’ first Big 12 Conference home match.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

With the tie, NU is now 6-2-3 on the season and 1-1-1 in Big 12 play. The three ties have matched the school record for most draws in a season, as the 2002 squad finished 16-6-3. Colorado is now 6-2-2 on the season and is tied with Nebraska in the league standings with a 1-1-1 mark.

 

For the second consecutive game, the Huskers enjoyed a one-goal lead in the second half. Senior Brittany Timko scored at 50:07 to put NU on the scoreboard on a setup from sophomore Aysha Jamani.  After Jamani’s shot was saved by CU goalkeeper Kirsten Radlinski, Timko controlled the rebound and fired a shot into the empty net.  Jamani now has four assists this year, tying her 2005 season total.

 

The score, which was Timko’s eighth of the season, marked her 14th consecutive game with at least one point, extending her own school record, which she set last Sunday at IowaState.

 

Down a goal, Colorado responded when the Buffaloes converted a breakaway attack. Nikki Marshall used her speed to beat the NU defense down the sideline and lifted a shot past NU sophomore goalie Jamie Klages. The initial shot caromed off the near post but Marshall was able to gather her rebound and slip a shot past the Husker defense and into the back of the net for the game-tying goal.

 

The Buffaloes and Huskers remained tied after 90 minutes of play despite several chances from each team. In the first overtime period, sophomore Selenia Iacchelli headed a Timko corner kick toward goal that was blocked by the Buffalo defense and Jamani’s rebound shot sailed high.

 

Jamani also had a quality scoring chance with less than one minute remaining in the second overtime period as she intercepted a pass from Radlinski and as Radlinski came out to defend Jamani ripped a shot past her that sailed just high and wide of the target.

 

Colorado had chances of its own in extra time. Marshall, who scored on a breakaway for CU’s lone goal, found herself with another breakaway opportunity in the first overtime, but NU freshman defender Carly Peetz made a great play to catch Marshall and play the ball off her for a goal kick.

 

On the game, the Huskers used a season-high 27 shots to outshoot the Buffaloes, 27-25. NU also won 11 corner kicks to CU’s three, but was unable to convert off the set plays.

 

In net, Klages stopped five shots for the Huskers, while Radlinski recorded seven saves in goal for the Buffs.

 

Nebraska, which has played two consecutive overtime periods, looks to get back on the winning track on Sunday, when the Huskers host the Kansas Jayhawks at 1 p.m. at the Nebraska Soccer Field.