Huskers Announce Challenging 2016 Schedule

“Seat Yourself Live” Set for Saturday Before Colorado Game

The Nebraska soccer team continues its tradition of playing a strong schedule in 2016, when the Huskers face seven NCAA Tournament qualifiers from last season, including two of the four NCAA Semifinalists.

Last year the Huskers’ strength of schedule ranked third nationally, and this year’s slate includes opponents from the Pac-12, Big 12, ACC, Big East, WCC and Atlantic 10. NU is set to host 10 regular-season games in the second year of Hibner Stadium after ranking 13th nationally in average attendance last season (1,381) and 18th nationally in total attendance (12,247). It was the second-highest season home attendance in program history.

For the upcoming season, fans can choose their seat on Saturday at Hibner Stadium, starting at 5:30 p.m. as part of the “Seat Yourself Live” event. At 7 p.m., the Huskers will face Colorado, with fireworks scheduled for after the game.

The Huskers will host an exhibition game against North Dakota State on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 7:05 p.m. at Hibner Stadium before their season home opener, which is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 19 against Marquette at 7:05 p.m.

Three days later, NU will battle 2015 NCAA Tournament qualifier BYU on the road before a weekend trip to Oregon to face the Ducks (Friday, Aug. 26) and Oregon State Beavers (Sunday, Aug. 28).

Nebraska will open September with a three-game home stand against Kansas (Friday, Sept. 2), Saint Louis (Sunday, Sept. 4) and Dayton (Friday, Sept. 9) before traveling to face 2015 NCAA Tournament qualifier Clemson on Sunday, Sept. 11.

The Huskers begin their Big Ten slate at home on Friday, Sept. 16 against Michigan State at 7:05 p.m. Two days later, NU hosts Michigan at 1:05 p.m.

The following weekend, the Huskers take a conference road trip to face a pair of 2015 NCAA Tournament qualifiers, including defending national champion Penn State. NU battles Ohio State on Friday, Sept. 23 before facing the Nittany Lions on Sunday, Sept. 25.

Nebraska’s final contest of September will be on Friday the 30th at home against Indiana. The Huskers will journey to Wisconsin for a game on Oct. 6 before facing 2015 NCAA Tournament qualifier Minnesota on Oct. 9.

Illinois and Northwestern come to Lincoln the following weekend. NU hosts the Fighting Illini on Oct. 13 at 7:05 p.m., before facing 2015 NCAA Tournament qualifier Northwestern on Oct. 16 at 1:05 p.m.

The Huskers’ final regular-season road trip is set for Oct. 22 against Rutgers at 6 p.m. The Scarlet Knights advanced to the NCAA College Cup Semifinals last season before falling to eventual champion Penn State. Nebraska’s final regular season home game will be Oct. 26 against Iowa at 7:05 p.m.

The Big Ten Tournament begins on Oct. 30 on the campuses of the top four teams. The semifinals are set for Nov. 4 and the finals will take place Nov. 6.

2016 Nebraska Soccer Schedule (all times central)
Saturday, Aug. 13: North Dakota State (Exhibition) – 7:05 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 19: Marquette – 7:05 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 22: at BYU – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 26: at Oregon – 9 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 28: at Oregon State – TBD
Friday, Sept. 2: Kansas – 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 4: Saint Louis – 1:05 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 9: Dayton – 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 11: at Clemson – Noon
Friday, Sept. 16: Michigan State – 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 18: Michigan – 1:05 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23: at Ohio State – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 25: at Penn State – TBD
Friday, Sept. 30: Indiana – 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 6: at Wisconsin – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9: at Minnesota – 1 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 13: Illinois – 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 16: Northwestern – 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22: at Rutgers – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 26: Iowa – 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 30: Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 4: Big Ten Tournament Semifinals
Sunday, Nov. 6: Big Ten Tournament Finals