Nebraska Looks to Get Back on Track in Road Games

Lincoln-The Huskers will attempt to return to their winning ways as NU returns to the road for the final time this regular season this weekend. With two conference losses over the weekend, Nebraska (5-8-3, 1-6-0 Big 12) slipped further in the conference standings and now faces an uphill battle, as the Huskers travel to Lawrence to face Kansas (4-9-4, 2-2-3 Big 12) at 3 p.m. Friday and to Columbia on Sunday to battle No. 16 Missouri (11-4-0, 5-2-0 Big 12) at 1 p.m.

Sundays have hardly been a day of rest for the Huskers this year. Last Sunday's game against No. 3 Texas A&M was the fifth of the last six Sundays that NU has squared off against a team ranked in the top 25 in the nation. The road ahead does not get any easier either. This Sunday's game sees the Huskers face No. 16 Missouri. The Tigers started the year unranked but have clawed their way into second place in the Big 12 and a national ranking. Three of MU's four losses have been to teams ranked sixth or higher in the nation. The Tigers' youth has possibly been one of their strengths this year as several underclassmen have stepped up to the plate, including sophomore Kristin Andrighetto.

Nebraska has a chance to creat some momentum before the Missouri game, as the Huskers play Kansas on Friday. Like the Huskers, Kansas has faced several ranked opponents and, like the Huskers, have found the competition stiff. The Jayhawks currently sit eighth in the conference and hold the last bid to the Big 12 Championships. The Huskers will try and claim that spot for their own by focusing on the KU defense. The Jayhawks have forced senior goalkeeper Colleen Quinn to make 80 saves so far this season.

NU boasts an 82-30-4 all-time conference record, but is 1-3-1 away from Lincoln this year.

Scouting Kansas (4-9-4, 2-2-3 Big 12)
Kansas' 2007 season has seen its share of difficulties. The Jayhawks started the campaign with a six-game winless streak before picking up an 1-0 overtime win against Missouri State. KU has faced seven ranked opponents, including No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 4 Portland.

The Jayhawks have battled back from a slow start, though. Kansas currently sits tied for eighth in the conference and holds the final bid to the Big 12 Championships. KU defeated Colorado 2-0 in Boulder last Friday and battle No. 6 Texas to a 0-0 draw in Austin on Sunday.

Kansas has relied heavily on its defense this season. Senior Colleen Quinn has made 80 saves in net for the Jayhawks, which puts her third in the conference in saves. She has posted three shutouts on the season, including two straight coming into the weekend's games.

The Jayhawk offense is led by forwards Kim Boyer and Nicole Cauzillo. Boyer, a sophomore has four goals on the season and three assists, while Cauzillo, a senior, has notched four goals herself and two assists. KU offense has been outscored 27-17, though, as five of the team's nine losses have been by one goal.

Husker History versus Kansas
Nebraska owns a 12-2-2 all-time record against Kansas, including an eight-game winning streak from 1995-2001. However, the last four years has seen the rivalry heat up. The teams met in the postseason in both 2004 and 2005. It took overtime to decided a winner in 2004 as NU prevailed 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, while neither team could find the net in 2005 as the regular-season game ended in a draw. The Huskers knocked KU out of the Big 12 Championships later in 2005 with a 3-1 win in the first round, but the Jayhawks responded with 1-0 win in Lincoln last year. The early October match saw the Huskers' offense struggle to connect. Despite twice as many shots on goal, NU suffered its first shutout in 18 matches as the Huskers fell to Kansas, 1-0, in front of 436 fans at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

With the loss, NU fell to 6-3-3 overall and 1-2-1 in the Big 12 Conference. Kansas improved to 7-4-0 on the season, including a 2-1-0 mark in league play.

Nebraska outshot Kansas, 15-9, including a 4-2 shots-on-goal advantage. The Jayhawks managed just four shots in the opening 45 minutes, including just one shot on goal. That one shot, however, proved to be the difference as KU’s Shannon McCabe found the back of the net to lift the Jayhawks to the victory.

Scouting No. 16 Missouri (11-4-0, 5-2-0 Big 12)
After starting the season unranked, the Missouri Tigers reeled off eight consecutive wins to start the season and work their way into the top 20 in the nation. The Tigers have faced their share off quality opponents. MU notched a 3-2 double overtime win over No. 3 Texas A&M and lost to then-No. 1 Stanford, 3-2. Two of Missouri's four losses have been in overtime as the Tigers have not lost a game by more than one goal.

Missouri's offense has outscored its opponents 43-19, including putting 154 shots on goal to just 69 for its opponents. The Tigers' offense has been led by several young players as the MU roster has no seniors on it and just five juniors. Sophomore midfielder Kristin Andrighetto has established a torrid pace in the season, racking up 29 points on 11 goals and seven assists. Freshman forward Alysha Bonnick and sophomore midfielder Michelle Collins have done their part, too. Both have nine goals on the year, while Bonnick has chipped in seven assists.

The Tigers have a pair of solid goalkeepers to choose from. Junior Mallory Forst has recorded the majority of minutes between the pipes, but sophomore Tasha Dittamore has shown promise in relief. Dittamore boasts a 5-1-0 record with 13 saves, while Forst has a 6-3-0 record and 36 saves. Both have earned three shutouts on the year.

Husker History versus Missouri
The Huskers have historically owned the Tigers. Nebraska rolled off 11 straight victories over MU to open the series and now owns a 14-1-0 record against the Tigers. Missouri's lone win against NU came in the 2003 Big 12 Championships. NU has put up 51 goals on Missouri, while the Tigers have managed just 13. Missouri has been shutout by the Huskers five times and allowed only one goal on eight different occasions.

Missouri's last meeting caught the Huskers at a bad time for the Tigers. Nebraska opened conference play against the Tigers and the Huskers extended their 11-year unbeaten streak in Big 12 openers. The win improved NU’s overall record to 6-1-2 on the season. Missouri fell to 7-2-0 with its second straight loss.

Nebraska passed several tests in Columbia, Mo., running to 2-0 win over Missouri in the Huskers' road opener. Goalkeeper Jamie Klages led Nebraska to its fourth shutout of the year, punching, diving and grabbing her way to a season-best seven saves despite facing an arsenal of solid scoring attempts by Missouri. It was the second straight shutout by the Huskers.

Ranked Run-ins
The Huskers match up with No. 3 Texas A&M last Sunday was not NU’s first experience with a ranked opponent. Nebraska has faced five teams ranked by the NSCAA in the top 25 in the nation. The Huskers squared off against two SEC programs at the USC Tournament in No. 17 Georgia and No. 13 Tennessee. The Big 12 conference has once again shown to be one of the premiere leagues in the nation as four schools from its fold are ranked. Nebraska has battled No. 6 Texas, No. 23 Oklahoma State and No. 3 Texas A&M and will travel to Columbia, Mo., this Sunday to take on No. 16 Missouri.

First Dibs
NU drew blood first against Texas A&M on Sunday as the Huskers scored in the 11th minute. This year’s squad has shown offensive zest throughout the season as NU has scored first in 10 of its 16 games. Nebraska has used that early offensive edge to notch a 5-2-2 record when it scores first. The Huskers quickest goal of the season came in just the fourth minute in a 5-1 win over St. Louis.

Shay Scores (Again)
Sophomore forward Shay Powell helped the Huskers jump on No. 3 Texas A&M early in last Sunday’s game. Junior midfielder Sari Raber find Powell at the top of the box and Powell fought off an Aggie defender to place a shot in the upper right hand corner and beat A&M’s goalkeeper. The goal was Powell’s fourth of the season as she is second on the team in points with eight on four goals. Raber leads the Huskers with nine points on three goals and three assists. Powell has launched 22 shots this season, including 12 on goal.

Nebraska's Never-Ending Shots
The Huskers’ offense broke through in a big way on Oct. 12 as NU peppered Lamar with 44 shots, including 26 in the first half, to capture a 4-0 win in Beaumont, Texas. NU’s offense set several season-highs as the win improved the Huskers to 5-5-3 on the season.

Nebraska’s 44 shots were the most in a game since NU recorded 44 in an 11-0 win over Drury on Sept. 3, 2000. Nebraska put half its total shots on goal as 22 of its shots found their way towards the net. NU’s 22 shots on goal were the most since Nebraska had 22 against Belmont in a 7-0 win on Sept. 6, 2002.

The Huskers forced LU goalkeeper Kelsie Binetti to make 18 saves in the game, which fell one shy of breaking the single game saves record by an NU opponent. Heather Friedman of Arkansas-Little Rock notched 19 saves against the Huskers in an 11-0 loss on Aug. 27, 2000.

Freshmen Force
The Husker freshmen had a break-out game against Lamar on Oct. 12 as a freshman scored or assisted on three of NU’s four goals. Three Husker freshmen scored their first career goals, while two Huskers notched their first career assists.

Freshman midfielder Anna White found the back of the net in the 29th minute, courtesy of Selenia Iacchelli. Freshman forward Jaclyn White capped a three-goal first half for Nebraska as she scored in the 39th minute on an assist from fellow freshman forward Michaella Fulmer. NU put the finishing touches on the game in the 66th minute when Fulmer scored her own goal with the assist being credited to another freshman forward, Alexa Cardona.

Husker freshmen recorded 22 of the teams’ 44 shots, including 13 of the 22 shots on goal. Jaclyn White added six shots, including four on goal to go with her goal, while Fulmer and Cardona both recorded five shots each. Fulmer, Jaclyn White and Anna White all recorded their first career points in the match.

Jamani Done for Season
Junior forward Aysha Jamani had her season cut short when she suffered a season-ending Achille's tendon injury in practice on Oct. 3. The Huskers lose one of their top offensive threats in Jamani, as she was leading the Huskers in shots on goal through the first 10 games.

Mills Garners Honor
The Big 12 Conference announced on Sept. 25 that Husker freshman goalkeeper Jessica Mills had been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. Mills, a Houston, Texas, native, has started all 10 games in net for Nebraska this year.

Mills played two tremendous games on Sept. 21 and 23 as she recorded 11 saves and only allowed one goal in two games. On Sept. 21, she recorded five saves and did not allow a goal against Saint Louis as Nebraska won 5-1. She followed up that performance with six saves and one goal allowed in 110 minutes of action as the Huskers tied No. 12 Florida 1-1 on Sept. 23.

At the announcement, Mills was first in the Big 12 in minutes played (774), saves (42) and saves per game (5.25). Her save percentage of .857 ranked third in the conference and her two shutouts placed her fourth in the league. She is only the third Husker freshman to win the Big 12 weekly defensive accolade.

Husker Hot Shots
The Huskers bombarded Oklahoma's goalkeeper with 12 shots on goal on Sept. 28 in a 1-0 NU win. Twelve shots on goal is a season high for the Huskers and the most since Nebraska recorded 12 at Texas Tech on Oct. 30, 2005. Fans have seen impressive results as NU's offense has matured over the season. The Huskers have attempted at least 10 shots on goal against Oklahoma, Saint Louis and San Diego State this season. Nebraska racked up 10 shots in goal in only two games last year.

Undefeated in Openers
With a 1-0 win over Oklahoma on Sept. 28, the Huskers won the program's 12th consecutive leage opener in 12 tries. NU is 12-0 all-time in Big 12 openers and has outscored its opponents by a whopping 40-5 margin, winning by an average of more than three goals per game.

Nebraska opened league play at home this year, after three consecutive years on the road. Nebraska is 6-0 in Big 12 openers at home and has outscored its opponents 19-1. The Huskers have faced Oklahoma just twice in the conference opener, as NU put an 9-0 win on the Sooners in 1996. Below is a breakdown of how the Huskers have fared in league openers since the formation of the Big 12 Conference in 1996:

Year Opponent Result
1996 Oklahoma W, 8-0
1997 at Colorado W, 5-1
1998 at Iowa State W, 4-2
1999 Texas Tech W, 1-0
2000 at Baylor W, 3-0
2001 Baylor W, 4-0
2002 at Missouri W, 4-0
2003 Iowa State W, 5-1
2004 at #8 Kansas W, 1-0
2005 at Colorado W, 2-1
2006 at Missouri W, 2-0
2007 Oklahoma W, 1-0
Total: 12-0; outscored opponents 40-5

Offensive Outburst
After scoring only six goals in the first six games, the Huskers burst through with five goals against Saint Louis on Sept. 21. The Huskers set several Nebraska Soccer Field records in notching the 5-1 win. NU’s five goals set a team record for goals at the field, dating back to the start of the 2005 season. The previous high was four goals on three occasions. The four-goal win also ties the largest margin of victory at the field.

Four Huskers scored their first goal of the season in the game, while five goals is the biggest offensive outburst for NU since a 6-0 win at Oral Roberts on Oct. 14, 2005. Four goals in a half are also the most since scoring five against Northern Colorado on Sept. 17, 2004.

Mills Makes Her Mark
Jessica Mills is not one to waste time. After graduating high school a year early to join the Huskers, Mills has already made her mark on the Husker squad. Starting all 10 games in net for NU this year, she has accumulated a 0.81 goals-against average, allowing just nine goals in 10 games. Mills has even worked her way into the Husker record book. She became the first freshman goalkeeper to record a shutout in a Nebraska season opener with her 2-0 victory over Northwestern on Sept. 2. Mills’ six saves on the day were the most by a Nebraska goalkeeper making her career debut since at least 1996.

Mills opened her career with a scoreless streak of nearly 160 minutes, and hasn’t looked back since. She ranks near the top of the Big 12 in several categories. She is first in minutes played with 954 minutes of action, over 50 minutes ahead of second. She is second in saves, collecting 50 on the year and third in saves per game, averaging five per game. Her save percentage of .862 ranks her third in the Big 12. She has posted three shutouts, which ties her for second in the conference.

Fit to be Tied
With a 1-1 overtime tie against No. 12 Florida on Sept. 23, the Huskers recorded their third tie on the year, tying the single-season mark for ties. Just like last year, Nebraska has posted three ties on the year. Counting 2006 and 2007, the Huskers have recorded three ties in a full season just three times in the program’s 14-year history. This year’s ties are the most ever in nonconference play.

Nebraska’s 0-0 tie with San Diego State Sept. 9 was just the third scoreless tie in the 14-year history of Husker soccer, totaling a whopping 293 games. The last time NU played to a scoreless tie was against Kansas in 2005, also at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

Berkshire’s Breakthrough
The Huskers found the cure for their sputtering offense on Sept. 21 in sophomore midfielder Julie Berkshire, who posted her first two goals of the season in a 5-1 win over Saint Louis. A mere eight minutes after a Jessie Bruch goal, Berkshire powered a ball past SLU’s goalkeeper from 18 yards out to beat her to the right. The goal put the Huskers up 4-0 at half. In the second period, Berkshire showed she has some touch, too. On an Anna Caniglia corner, Berkshire headed the ball past SLU’s goalkeeper in the 69th minute to put NU up five and seal the game.

Berkshire’s two goals already put her on the path to a career year. She recorded only three shots, one on goal and one goal in 2006. Berkshire has two shots, two on goal and two goals already this season.

Isenhower’s Return
Sophomore Lauren Isenhower made her return to the pitch against Florida on Sept. 23. The Lenexa, Kan., native has suffered a number of injuries over the last year, but has undergone rehabilitation and will add offensive firepower to the Huskers’ attack.

Isenhower’s hard luck first hit prior to the 2006 season, leaving her out of the lineup following a spectacular freshman year that included two goals and three assists. The 5-9 midfielder had barely set foot back on the pitch this past spring when she again suffered a knee injury and was forced back into rehabilitation.

Goosen’s Goal
Brittany Goosen (pronounced GO-sun) has been one of several freshmen to step up for the Huskers this season. Goosen has started all eight games on the back line for the Huskers this year. She is part of a defense that has allowed just eight goals in eight games, including two shutouts.

Goosen proved her offensive worth as she scored her first career goal against Georgia on Sept. 16. She took a free kick from nearly midfield in the 65th minute. The ball bounced in the goal box and made it over the head of Bulldog goalkeeper Michelle Betos. Her goal broke a 245-minute scoreless streak for the Huskers.

Goosen became the second freshman to score a goal for NU this season. Fellow Husker Alexa Cardona recorded the first NU goal of the season against Northwestern in the season opener. Goosen’s performance earned her a spot on the all-tournament team for the USC Tournament.

A Winning Week
Nebraska played its first four games of the 2007 season in a span of just seven days, marking just the fifth time in program history the Huskers played four games in one week. NU has never suffered a loss when playing four games in a week, opening this season 2-0-2, while posting a 3-0-1 record in 2006 and perfect 4-0-0 marks in 1996, 2001 and 2004.

Freshman Facts
The Nebraska roster is nearly half freshmen this season as 14 of 31 players are in their first year in Lincoln. Three of those freshmen made their first career starts on Sept. 2 in a 2-0 Husker win over Northwestern, including midfielder Anna White, forward Brittany Goosen and goalkeeper Jessica Mills.

Alexa Cardona, another freshman, did not start, but did score the game-winning goal in the 71st minute. Cardona became the first true freshman to score the game-winning goal in a season-opener since Ashley Carter in 2003.

The shutout was Nebraska’s first in a season-opener since 2003 and made Mills the first freshman goalkeeper to record a shutout in a Nebraska season opener.

Mills’ six saves on the day were also the most by a Nebraska goalkeeper making her career debut since at least 1996.

Jamani Earns Big 12 Pick
Junior Aysha Jamani has been selected to the preseason All-Big 12 soccer team in the league’s coach’s poll. Jamani returns to Nebraska for her junior year in 2007 as the Huskers’ most potent offensive threat following the graduation of three-time Big 12 Player of the Year Brittany Timko. Jamani owns 11 goals and eight assists in two seasons and has started at forward in 37games. A former Big 12 All-Newcomer Team member and two-time second-team All-Big 12 selection, Jamani has consistently performed at the highest level for the Huskers.