Thomas Lifts Huskers to 2-0 Win Over Loyola Chicago

Lincoln - Junior Molly Thomas scored two goals in a four-minute span to begin the second half and carry the Huskers to a 2-0 win over Loyola Chicago on Friday evening at the Nebraska Soccer Field. The home-opening win improves Nebraska to 1-1-0 on the season.

The Huskers used a determined team effort to pick up their first win of the season, as NU played with only 10 players for the last 68 minutes of the match. In the 21st minute, Nebraska goalkeeper Emma Stevens received a red card for using her hands outside of the penalty box. Senior Tara Macdonald played the rest of the game in net and helped hold the Ramblers scoreless while tallying three saves.

Nebraska outshot Loyola Chicago, 20-7, including a slim 5-to-3 advantage in shots on goal. Thomas made the most of her opportunities, earning her first goal in the 52nd minute after sophomore Jordan Jackson advanced a pass through the Loyola Chicago defense to a sprinting Thomas. The junior dribbled into the penalty area and fired a low shot past Rambler goalkeeper Katie Groesch on the right side of the net.

Just four minutes later, Thomas scored her second goal of the game when she found herself alone in the short corner and lofted a perfect left-footed shot over Groesch into the far upper corner of the net. Friday marked the fourth multiple-goal game of Thomas' career, as the 2009 Second-Team All-Big 12 selection had three last year en route to an eight-goal season.

Nebraska used solid defense to hold Loyola Chicago to only seven shots behind a backline that featured freshman Maritza Hayes, junior Katie Goetzmann and senior Brittany Goosen. Hayes was one of three freshmen to start the contest along with Stevens and forward Ari Romero. After two injury-riddled seasons, junior forward Alexa Cardona was also in the lineup for the first time since 2007.

With the victory, the Huskers remain unbeaten at the Nebraska Soccer Field since October of 2008. In that span, NU has compiled an 11-0-2 record.

The Huskers will be in home action again this Sunday morning, as NU takes on Loyola Maryland at the Nebraska Soccer Field at 10 a.m.