Freshmen Fuel 2-0 Husker Win over Wildcats

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? Nebraska freshmen Alexa Cardona and Jessica Mills produced key performances to propel the Nebraska soccer team to a season-opening 2-0 victory over Northwestern at the Nebraska Soccer Field on Sunday. 

Cardona’s first career goal proved to be a game-winner as her goal in the 71st minute snapped a scoreless tie and gave the Huskers the win in front of more than 500 fans on a perfect day for soccer in Lincoln.

The Lincoln Pius X graduate capitalized on a Northwestern miscue when she stole the ball and battled a Wildcat down the right side of the field. Cardona beat goalkeeper Lauren Johnston to the upper left corner of the goal from 15 yards to put the Huskers on the board for the first time this season.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

Goalkeeper Jessica Mills posted a shutout in her first career start as six freshmen saw game action for the Huskers. Mills, a native of Houston, Texas, notched six saves on the day to preserve the Husker victory. Freshmen Anna White and Brittany Goosen also earned starts in their first regular-season games in a Husker uniform.

Junior Sari Raber put the game out of reach with just over five minutes left with an insurance goal in the 85th minute off an assist from Selenia Iacchelli. Raber took a header from Iacchelli off a goal kick and turned it into a breakaway down the left side of the field. Raber beat Johnston to the left side of the goal to put the game out of reach.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Huskers asserted their dominance in the second half. Nebraska out shot Northwestern 22-11 in the game and created eight corner kicks in the second half. 

Nebraska travels to Iowa on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game with the Drake Bulldogs.