Resilient Huskers Down Toreros in Lawrence, 2-1

Lawrence, Kan. - Despite allowing a goal in the second minute of action Sunday morning, the Nebraska soccer team showed its resiliency in earning a hard-fought 2-1 victory over San Diego at the 2013 Kansas Invitational Tournament. The win finished off a lengthy road trip for the Huskers as NU gained momentum heading into Thursday's Big Ten home opener.

The Scarlet and Cream outshot the Toreros by a 18-13 advantage, including a 5-3 edge in shots on goal on the slippery conditions at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. NU has put up more shots than the opposition in six of its seven matches.

San Diego (5-3-0) got its offense going early Sunday morning just 1:47 into the match. Michaela Dooley gave the Toreros the 1-0 edge as she headed the ball into the back of the net after a fine cross from Victoria Walker.

Nebraska (4-2-1) responded in the 18th minute when senior Kylie Greischar sent in a crossing pass to sophomore Katie Kraeutner for the equalizer. Kraeutner's first tally of the year came on a laser from 18 yards out that found its way through a crowd and beat the USD keeper into the side netting. Greischar's helper gave the defender the first point of her NU career.

The Huskers applied consistent pressure throughout the final ten minutes of the first half, but went into the intermission tied up at 1-1. NU outfired USD by a 10-6 margin with the Huskers recording two attempts on net, while the Toreros scored on its lone shot on frame.

Nebraska carried its momentum into the second half where freshman Jaycie Johnson gave NU a 2-1 lead with her fifth goal of the season. Senior Jordan Jackson put a through ball in to Johnson who scored after a nifty touch inside the box at the 60:09 mark.

Senior goalkeeper Emma Stevens, who finished with a pair of saves in the win, made her presence known in the second half as she was influential in shutting down the USD attack and controlling the box. Stevens, along with the strong Nebrasks defensive unit, denied San Diego down the stretch and helped lift the Huskers to victory by a 2-1 final.

Jackson led the offensive attack for Nebraska with five shot attempts, while junior Caroline Gray, who played all 90 minutes, amassed three shots. 

Jaycie Johnson, Jordan Jackson and Ari Romero were all named to the 2013 All-Kansas Tournament Team.

NU will return home to the Nebraska Soccer Field to open Big Ten play against Michigan State at 2 pm. on Thursday, Sept. 19. The match will be televised live on the Big Ten Network and BTN2Go.com.

2013 Kansas Invitational All-Tournament Team
Mariah Butera – San Diego
Taylor Housley – San Diego
Caitlyn Kretzschmar – San Diego
Ari Romero – Nebraska
Jordan Jackson – Nebraska
Jaycie Johnson – Nebraska
Jaciara Mello – San Francisco
Halle Bissin – San Francisco
Ali Schaffer – San Francisco
Tayler Estrada – Kansas
Madi Hillis - Kansas