Huskers Cruise to Big 12 Semifinals with 4-1 Win Over Missouri

San Antonio, Texas - A 3-1 halftime lead and goals from four different Huskers led third-seeded Nebraska to a 4-1 win over sixth-seeded Missouri in the first round of the 2010 Big 12 Championship in San Antonio, Texas. The Huskers (13-6-1) move on to the semifinals for the first time since 2005 and will face the winner of tonight's match between No. 2 Oklahoma State and No. 7 Texas Tech.

On a windy and rainy day at Blossom Soccer Stadium, Nebraska took a 3-1 halftime lead with first half goals by sophomore All-Big 12 selections Jordan Jackson and Morgan Marlborough, in addition to senior Jaclyn White. Nebraska did not release pressure after the intermission, as freshman Stacy Bartels scored less than seven minutes into the second half to account for the final 4-1 margin.

The Huskers outshot Missouri 22-13 and had 12 shots on goal, the highest total in a regulation game this season (14 SOG in 5-4 overtime win at Texas Tech). In the 22nd minute, Jackson took a long ball from Stacy Bartels down the left side and outran the Tiger defense with only the goalkeeper to beat. She switched directions to free herself as Paula Pritzen made a diving effort before Jackson calmly sent in her 11th goal of the season.

Four minutes later, Marlborough received a throw-in from Molly Thomas and went to the top of the penalty box before rocketing a low shot inside the right post to give NU a 2-0 lead. Nebraska's first two goal contributors - Marlborough and Jackson - were each named to the 2010 All-Big 12 First Team on Monday. Marlborough has a Big 12-leading 17 goals and 12 assists in 2010.

After a Missouri goal in the 33rd minute, Nebraska grabbed a critical two-goal lead before halftime. Marlborough dropped off a corner kick to freshman Ari Romero, who passed to Blair Slapper just in front of the 18-yard line. Slapper then found White in traffic on the left side, but the senior spun around her defender and sent a shot inside the left post past a diving Pritzen, her fourth goal of the year.

Nebraska did not have the strong wind advantage in the second half, but that did not stop the Huskers from all but putting the match away in the 52nd minute. Marlborough dribbled the right end line to create the offensive opportunity but could not find a clean shot. After Colleen Goetzmann's shot was smothered the ball trickled to Bartels for a seven-yard shot to give NU a 4-1 lead. It was Bartels' fourth goal of the season.

Tara Macdonald and the Husker defensive line of Romero, freshman Maritza Hayes, junior Katie Goetzmann and senior Brittany Goosen were strong all day. Missouri's lone goal resulted from a defensive miscue on a free kick, but NU allowed only five shots on goal. Each Tiger opportunity was saved by Macdonald, who improved her record to 8-3-1.

Nebraska's semifinal match against either Oklahoma State or Texas Tech will take place Friday night at 8 p.m. The Cowgirls are ranked No. 10 nationally in the latest NSCAA Top 25. The match can be seen free on Big12Sports.com.