Johnson?s Hat Trick Leads NU in Exhibition Victory

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Sophomore forward Jaycie Johnson scored three goals to help No. 13 Nebraska to a 5-3 exhibition win over Colorado College at Stewart Field on Friday afternoon.

Johnson’s first goal came in the 15th minute as she slid past the Tigers’ goalkeeper on the left side and put the ball in the back of an open net. Colorado College responded with two goals over the next 15 minutes to take a 2-1 advantage over the Huskers.

In the 34th minute, sophomore midfielder Caroline Flynn knotted the score 2-2 with a shot from 20 yards out that soared above the goalkeeper’s head into the top right corner of the net.

Shortly after halftime, the Tigers reclaimed the lead with Rachel Herron’s goal off the crossbar in the 47th minute. Trailing 3-2, the Huskers scored three unanswered goals over the final 34 minutes to put away the victory.

Johnson, a Lake Winnebago, Mo., native, scored her second goal in the 57th minute with a crossing shot from 12 yards out on the left side off an assist from Haley Hanson. She added her third goal of the afternoon in the 81st minute off a Samantha Areman assist to give Nebraska a 4-3 lead.

Junior forward Katie Kraeutner added Nebraska’s final goal with less than two minutes remaining on a direct kick from 20 yards out. The Huskers outshot Colorado College for the game, 15-8, while taking two more shots on goal, 8-6.

Sophomore Kelly Schatz earned the start at goalie and picked up three saves over 90 minutes.

The Huskers open their regular season next weekend at home against SMU on Friday at 6 p.m., before hosting DePaul on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 1 p.m., at the Nebraska Soccer Field.