Huskers Fall to No. 6 Aggies in 2-1 Battle

Lincoln - Sophomore Morgan Marlborough's Big 12-leading 10th goal of the season gave Nebraska an opportunity to knock off No. 6 Texas A&M, but Aggie midfielder Bri Young broke a 1-1 tie in the 71st minute to give the Aggies (8-3-0) a 2-1 win over the Huskers (8-3-0) at the Nebraska Soccer Field on Sunday afternoon. The match ends Nebraska's home unbeaten streak that had lasted 18 matches (16-0-2) dating back to Oct. 17, 2008.

The Huskers fell behind early in the 11th minute when Alyssa Mautz scored from 30 yards out to put the Aggies ahead 1-0 and give NU its first home deficit of the season. Marlborough was quick to answer less than three minutes later when she was fouled just beyond the penalty box. The Lee's Summit, Mo., native then sent a 20-yard free kick over the Texas A&M wall and just inside the right post to tie the contest at 1-1. Marlborough is the Big 12's current scoring leader with 23 points on 10 goals and three assists while she also claimed sole possession of the seventh-spot on Nebraska's all-time goal chart with 31 career goals.

The Husker defense was outstanding throughout the match as Nebraska played the final 49 minutes with only 10 players. In the 41st minute, NU starting goalkeeper Emma Stevens collided with Mautz outside the penalty box and was whistled for a red card. With senior Tara Macdonald sidelined due to a back injury, the Huskers entered senior Jaclyn White in between the posts. Primarily a forward this season, White had not played goalkeeper during her prep or collegiate career. The Long Beach, Calf., native turned in a solid performance by tallying three saves and giving up only one goal on Young's 45-yard free kick. White nearly saved the eventual game-winning goal as she deflected the shot into the bottom of the cross bar before the ball bounced off the back of her head and into the net.

Despite playing shorthanded, Texas A&M only outshot Nebraska 16-13 overall with a slim 8-7 shots on goal advantage. The Huskers managed to create seven shots with only 10 players, including an opportunity eight minutes into the second half when Marlborough broke free on the right side of the field and centered a pass to sophomore Jordan Jackson, but her one-touch shot sailed just over the cross bar. After the Aggies took a 2-1 lead, junior Molly Thomas rocketed a one-touch shot of her own from just outside the goalie box that was saved by Texas A&M goalkeeper Kelly Dyer. Jackson led Nebraska with five shots.

The Aggies entered the match averaging nearly three goals per game. Just before Young's game-winning goal, Amber Gnatzig had a 1 on 1 opportunity with White that ended when senior defender Brittany Goosen chased down Gnatzig to break up her would-be shot on goal. The Aggies looked to separate themselves down the stretch but White made a diving save with four minutes remaining on a Mautz shot in the box to keep the Huskers in the match all 90 minutes.

Nebraska is now 8-3-0 overall with a 1-1 record in Big 12 play after it won the league opener Friday night against Texas. The Huskers will hit the road this week to take on Baylor and Texas Tech.