Huskers Fall to Pioneers in Exhibition Play

Denver, Colo - Nebraska fell behind by two goals in the first period and could not recover as the Huskers dropped its lone exhibition contest of the season, 5-1, Sunday afternoon in Denver, Colo.

Colleen Goetzmann scored Nebraska's goal off a corner kick from junior defender Blair Slapper in the 24th minute. Slapper delivered a low pass right in front of the box for Goetzmann, who elevated above the Denver defense to head in the goal off the hands of DU goalkeeper Lara Campbell.

Denver got on the board early and never relinquished its lead after converting its first opportunity in the fourth minute. Forward Kalie Vaughn centered a pass to Kelsey Quinn at the top of the penalty box, who then found the top right corner of the net to give the Pioneers a 1-0 advantage. DU scored its second goal at 21:59 after NU goalkeeper Emma Stevens challenged a ball on the right side of the penalty box. The Husker defense was unable to recover as Denver forward Kristin Hamilton arrived first and swept a pass to Lauren Cavarra for a 10-yard shot into the open net.

Hamilton would extend the Pioneers' lead at 48:35 on a left-footed shot from Hamilton from the top left corner of the penalty box, giving DU a 3-1 lead by the end of two periods. The exhibition match was played in three 30-minute periods, with Denver adding its final two goals in the last frame.

The Huskers and Pioneers each tallied 16 shots, while NU had nine shots on goal to Denver's eight.

Nebraska opens the 2010 season next Sunday at New Mexico at 1 p.m.