Areman Leads Huskers with Hat Trick

Brookings, S.D. - After dropping a 5-0 decision to defending national champion Notre Dame on Tuesday, the Nebraska soccer team responded with an 8-1 victory over South Dakota State in Brookings, S.D., on Friday to conclude its preseason schedule.

Freshman Samantha Areman led the Huskers with a hat trick, while juniors Morgan Marlborough and Jordan Jackson each chipped in two goals and senior Molly Thomas added another. The NU offense was on the attack all night with 15 shots on goal, while the Husker defense kept the Jackrabbits at bay and only allowed four total shots.

South Dakota State's Courtney Higgins struck early with the first goal of the game at the 3:42 mark, but it didn't take long for the Huskers to even the score when Ari Romero found Jackson less than two minutes later to even the score. Jackson then connected with Marlborough at 16:31 to give the Huskers a lead they would add to the rest of the game. Jackson added another assist in the first half when she found Thomas to give NU a 3-1 lead heading into intermission.

Marlborough opened the scoring in the second half at 57:36 on an unassisted goal that pushed the NU lead to 4-1. SDSU kept the game close until the 74th minute when Areman scored on an unassisted goal that opened the flood gates. Jackson would add her second goal less than a minute later on an corner kick from senior Blair Slapper, before Areman punched in her second goal at the 77:35 mark, with assists from fellow freshman Kelsey Goff and sophomore Maddie Hanssler.

Areman completed the hat track with six second left in regulation on an deflected ball to give the Huskers an 8-1 victory.

The Huskers will now have one week to prepare for their 2011 season opener, as they are set to host perennial national-power North Carolina at the Nebraska Soccer Field on Friday, Aug. 19.