Powell?s Second-Half Goal Helps Huskers to 1-1 Tie

Lincoln - The Nebraska soccer team (7-2-4, 1-1-2 Big 12) found itself in a 1-0 deficit just 20 minutes into the game, but an early second-half goal by senior forward Shay Powell forced a 1-1 double-overtime tie against the Baylor Bears on Friday afternoon at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

The draw is the first tie in the 18-game series between Nebraska and Baylor (NU leads, 12-5-1), while the even score marks the fourth tie in 2009, tying the Nebraska single-season school record (also four in 2007).

Powell's goal in the 46th minute was the only one the Huskers could put in the net against a Baylor defense that ranks first in the Big 12 Conference in goals allowed with 0.64 per game and had posted five shutouts coming into Friday's contest.

Sophomore forward Molly Thomas contributed heavily to Nebraska's goal, as she outran the Baylor defense down the ride sideline before centering the ball to Powell in the goalie box. The senior from Dallas, Texas then knocked in her fourth goal of the season and more impressively her third goal in the first four Big 12 Conference games.

Thomas nearly scored herself in final minutes of the first half, but her sailing shot from the right side of the penalty box toward the far post was saved by a Bear defender one yard in front of the goal line. Junior midfielder Anna White had a quality scoring opportunity as well in the 58th minute when she cleaned up a loose ball in the goalie box and fired a shot through the congestion before it was snagged by Baylor goalkeeper Gianna Quintanna.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the 96th minutes (1st overtime), Nebraska momentarily thought it had earned its eighth victory of the season, but freshman Jordan Jackson's goal from 12 yards out was waved off due to a Husker foul.

Baylor took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute when junior forward Lotto Smith headed a ball from Bethany Johnson just past the reach of NU goalkeeper Jessica Mills for the Bears' lone goal of the game.

Nebraska outshot its opponent for the 12th time in 13 games this season, taking 25 shots, while the Bears attempted 14. Quintana and Mills ended the game with four saves apiece.

Nebraska dominated corner kicks with a 12-3 advantage.

The Huskers are now 6-0-2 at the Nebraska Soccer Field this season, as Nebraska stays home for another Big 12 matchup this Sunday when the Huskers take on the Oklahoma Sooners at 1 p.m. The first 150 fans will receive free Nebraska soccer T-shirts.