Nebraska Posts 1-0 Shutout over Oklahoma

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Norman, Okla. ? The Husker soccer team ended conference play with a win on Sunday afternoon after posting a 1-0 shutout over Oklahoma at the OU Soccer Complex in Norman.  The shutout was the fourth of the season for Nebraska and its second in Big 12 play.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

With the win, the Huskers improve to 9-6-3 and close the Big 12 regular season with a record of 4-5-1.  The loss drops the Sooners to 7-10-1 (3-6-1 Big 12).

 

After an offensive slump over its last three Big 12 matches, Nebraska got back on track against Oklahoma.  Although the Huskers netted just one goal, they increased their shot accuracy, which resulted in more legitimate scoring opportunities.  NU put four shots on goal in the contest and tallied 11 shots, while allowing 12 from the Sooners. 

 

Despite notching fewer shots than the Sooners, the game was noticeably controlled by the Huskers.  Sophomore Aysha Jamani led Nebraska’s efforts, putting two of five shots on goal while adding the game-winning assist in the lone goal of the contest.

 

In the 32nd minute, Jamani played the ball in to sophomore Selenia Iacchelli, who ripped a shot past OU goalkeeper Jennifer Nichols to put the Huskers up, 1-0.  The goal was Iacchelli’s second of the season and the first game-winner of her career.  Jamani recorded her fifth assist of the year, besting her previous season high of four assists, which she set last season.

 

While the Huskers managed to finish only one goal, they had a number of scoring opportunities, many of which resulted from the six corner kicks Nebraska earned in the opening 45 minutes.  Jamani had NU’s first chance just 10 minutes in as she took the cross from senior Brittany Timko and fired a shot that Nichols denied.

 

Freshman Shay Powell also generated an opportunity on a cross from a Timko corner, but was blocked by the Sooner defense.

 

Nebraska’s chance at set plays slowed in the second period with the Huskers posting just a single corner.  Consequently, NU’s offensive production also declined as Nebraska took just four shots in the half while protecting its 1-0 lead.

 

Meanwhile, Oklahoma increased its attacking efforts in the final 45 minutes, taking eight shots many of which were from Kady Kelly who finished the game with three of OU’s four shots on goal. 

 

Despite a good effort, the Sooners were unable to break down the Husker defense and sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Klages, who had four saves in the match.  The shutout is Klages’ fourth of the season and the 10th of her career.

 

After playing a pair of games on the road this weekend, the Huskers return to Lincoln and continue their busy schedule as they close out the 2006 regular-season with a mid-week home contest against Loyola-Chicago at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.