Caniglia?s Hat Trick Sends Huskers Past Jayhawks, 7-4

Lawrence, Kan. - Senior Anna Caniglia turned in one of the best single-game performances in recent Husker history, as she scored three goals and added an assist to lead the Nebraska soccer team to 7-4 victory at Kansas on Friday afternoon.

With two regular-season Big 12 games remaining, Nebraska holds a 10-3-4 overall record, with a 4-2-2 mark in Big 12 action. The Huskers entered Friday in a tie for fourth place in the league standings.

In Nebraska's highest-scoring Big 12 game since 1999, it was only fitting Caniglia began the Husker scoring barrage in the opening minutes. The Omaha, Neb., native earned her first goal of the game in the 10th minute on an impressive 35-yard shot near the corner flag that drifted into the far corner of the net for a 1-0 Nebraska lead.

The Huskers did not waste any time striking again, as NU increased its lead to 3-0 on goals by sophomore Molly Thomas (24th minute) and freshman Jordan Jackson (33rd minute), before Kansas' Monica Dolinsky scored on a free kick with 3 minutes remaining in the first half.

Still in control, Nebraska was in danger of losing its early advantage when KU's Caitlin Noble scored in the 51st minute to cut the Husker lead to 3-2. Caniglia answered with the most spectacular goal of the season, as she scored on a bicycle kick in the goalie box in the 59th minute to shift the momentum Nebraska's way.

Caniglia's impressive play was the first of four second-half Husker goals, as junior Michaella Fulmer and senior Carly Peetz each scored before Caniglia completed the hat trick in the 80th minute.

Caniglia had two goals this season before her three-goal explosion against the Jayhawks to mark the 27th hat trick in school history. She finished the day with seven points as she also assisted on Peetz' goal.

Jackson and Fulmer scored memorable goals as well, as they were a pair of six Huskers from the Kansas City area playing in front of a big contingent of Nebraska fans on Friday afternoon.

Nebraska has won two-straight Big 12 games and now travels to No. 23 Missouri on Sunday. Kickoff between the Tigers and Huskers is set for 1 p.m.