Huskers Drop First Big Ten Game at Indiana

Bloomington, Ind. - A pair of Indiana goals in the final 20 minutes of regulation resulted in the Nebraska soccer team's first Big Ten Conference loss on Sunday afternoon at Armstrong Stadium by a score of 2-1. After winning its first two conference games over Northwestern and Purdue, the Huskers now hold an overall record of 5-4-1 and a 2-1-0 record in league play.

The two teams matched each other back-and-forth in the first half and went into the locker room tied at 0-0. Nebraska got off seven shots and Indiana attempted six, while each goalie had two saves.

The Huskers were first to strike in the second half, as Stacy Bartels scored her fifth goal of the season and her first conference goal at 49:14. After notching a pair of hat tricks in NU's last two games, Morgan Marlborough crossed to Bartels, who put in the header at the back post. Nebraska continued to hold a 1-0 lead over the next 20 minutes until Orianica Velasquez put in the equalizer.

Carly Samp started the goal with a chip shot that got over the Husker defense, which Orianica gathered and then beat NU goalie Emma Stevens high to tie the game. The Hoosiers stuck once again at 80:30 on a rebound shot. Lisa Nouanesengsy blasted a shot that Stevens was able to block, but not hold onto, resulting in an easy goal for Devon Beach.

Nebraska would get off three shots in the final 10 minutes in an attempt to tie the game, but were unable to remain unbeaten in league play.

The Huskers will now return to Lincoln for a pair of games against Michigan State and Michigan. The Spartans will visit the Nebraska Soccer Field on Friday, Sept. 30, at 4:30 p.m., while NU will host the Wolverines on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 1 p.m. Check Huskers.com later this week for more information.