Huskers Prepare for Wildcats

Game 3: Nebraska (1-1-0) at Villanova (2-0-0)
Date: Sunday, Aug. 30
Time: Noon CST
Live Stats: Click Here
Live Video: Click Here (Subscription Required)
Location: West Campus Soccer Complex, Villanova, Pa.

The Husker soccer team will attempt to rebound from its first loss of the season on Sunday when Nebraska takes on the host Villanova Wildcats in Villanova, Pa., at Noon.

Villanova will provide free live stats and live video (subscription required) at www.villanova.com.

Nebraska (1-1-0) is coming off a 3-1 defeat to Lehigh on Friday afternoon. The Huskers' lone goal came from junior midfielder Colleen Goetzmannin the 66th minute, which cut a 2-0 Mountain Hawk lead in half. Lehigh, however, responded with a goal in the game's final minutes to produce the final score (3-1).

Scouting the Villanova Wildcats
Villanova is 2-0-0 this fall after a 2-1 double-overtime win over Virginia Tech on Friday at the Villanova Classic. Following a 11-7-1 (4-6-1 Big East, 6th) season in 2008, the Wildcats return nine starters this year, including sophomore forward Kaitlin Ryan (20 points) and senior forward Grace Hawkins (17 points). Villanova is looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006. The Wildcats reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2003.

Marlborough Strikes First
Freshman Morgan Marlborough started her collegiate career in strong fashion by scoring the first goal of the 2009 season in Nebraska's 3-0 win over Northern Colorado last weekend. By doing so, Marlborough became the third Husker freshman in the past four years to score the first goal of the season, joining Savannah Allen (2006) and Alexa Cardona (2007). The Lee's Summit, Mo., native then added an assist on NU's final goal to finish the game with three points, tying Lindsay Eddleman for the most points by a freshman in a season opener in school history. Eddleman did so in a 8-0 win over Oklahoma on Aug. 30, 1996.

Macdonald Posts Shutout
Junior goalkeepers Tara Macdonald and Jessica Mills have each posted shutouts in their Husker debuts. Macdonald played all 90 minutes of Nebraska's 3-0 win over Northern Colorado and totaled eight saves, the most of any goalie in the Big 12 Conference last weekend. Mills accomplished the same feat in the 2007 season opener, stopping six shots in 90 minutes during a 2-0 victory over Northwestern. Macdonald and Mills split time in the Huskers' lone exhibition contest, a 2-0 win at Colorado College on Aug. 18.

Peetz, Caniglia Look to Lead Huskers
Nebraska's success in 2009 could rely heavily on senior defenders Carly Peetz and Anna Caniglia. The duo is part of a six-person senior class, with both carrying streaks that has seen each start all 61 games of their career. Peetz ended 2008 as an All-Big 12 second-team selection, before she was also named to the 2009 preseason All-Big 12 squad. Both provide some offensive punch as well, as Caniglia posted 11 points in 2008, while Peetz totaled six.

Nebraska Will Face Five Ranked Big 12 Opponents in 2009
Nebraska will again have one of the nation's most competitive schedules in 2009, as five Big 12 teams are currently ranked in the NSCAA/adidas Top 25.

Texas A&M is the higest ranked conference team at No. 6, while Colorado is also in the top 20 at No. 18. Three Big 12 foes are in the bottom five of the poll in No. 21 Oklahoma State, No. 22 Missouri and No. 25 Texas.

The Huskers host Texas A&M and Oklahoma State at the Nebraska Soccer Field this season, while they travel to Missouri, Texas and Colorado.

Meet-N-Beat Review
More than 800 fans came through the doors of the Hawks Championship Center on Wednesday night for the 15th annual "Meet-N-Beat the Huskers," making it one of the most successful events in history.

Festivities were moved indoors earlier in the day due to inclement weather, but Nebraska fans turned out in big numbers to meet the 2009 Huskers. Many youth soccer clubs and teams from the Lincoln area were in attendance, as everyone received free Nebraska soccer posters and schedule cards, while also getting the chance to participate in drills and cheers with the Husker players.

Up Next: Huskers Welcome Lamar to Nebraska Soccer Field
Nebraska comes home for the 2009 season opener Sept. 4 against Lamar, with kickoff set for 4 p.m., from the Nebraska Soccer Field.

The NU Marketing Department will be giving out free 2009 Husker soccer schedule key tags to the first 400 fans. There is also free admission for kids who attended Husker soccer summer camps (8th grade and below) by bringing their camp flyer to the game. Tickets can be purchased at the field-level entrance on the gameday or by calling 1-800-8-BIG-RED. Season tickets are $44 for adults and $22 for youth/seniors, while single-game tickets are $5 for adults and $22 for youth/seniors. UNL students get in free with their N-Card.

Follow Husker Soccer on Twitter
Follow the Husker soccer program online at www.twitter.com/NebraskaSoccer.  

Join the Nebraska Soccer E-mail List
To join the 2009 Nebraska Soccer E-mail List, please e-mail bgries@huskers.com.