Huskers Win PK Shootout, Advance to Big Ten Semis

Columbus, Ohio – The sixth-seeded Nebraska soccer team (9-6-5, 5-3-3 Big Ten) played No. 3 seed Ohio State to a scoreless draw in Sunday’s Big Ten Quarterfinals at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, but the Huskers won the penalty-kick shootout by a 3-2 tally. Nebraska advances to next weekend’s Big Ten Semifinals against No. 7 seed Minnesota at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.

As was the case in the first meeting between NU and OSU this season on Sept. 30, 110 minutes wasn’t enough time to determine a winner. This time, junior goalkeeper Aubrei Corder earned six saves in regulation for her fifth complete-game shutout of the season and 23rd of her career. She wasn’t done, though, as the game headed to the best-of-five shootout.

Corder saved three of Ohio State’s five attempts, as the Huskers found the back of the net on three of their shots. In the first round, senior Savanah Uveges made her attempt after an Ohio State miss to give NU a 1-0 edge. Uveges, a third-team All-Big Ten selection, is a perfect 5-for-5 this season in penalty kicks.

The Buckeyes knotted it at 1-1 after the second set of kicks. OSU’s Sarah Roberts scored, while Meg Brandt’s attempt hit the left post.

NU responded in the third round to retake the lead at 2-1. After Corder saved a Blair Cowan shot, Kenzie Coons, a Big Ten All-Freshman Team member, scored.

In the fourth round, Ohio State tied it at 2-2 when Haley Walker-Robinson netted her attempt and Brenna Ochoa’s shot was saved by Buckeye keeper Devon Kerr.

Corder came through for the Huskers in the fifth round when she saved an attempt by Izzy Rodriguez, giving NU a make-and-advance situation. Sophomore Natalie Cooke scored on the attempt as NU won the shootout, 3-2, to advance to the next round of the Big Ten Tournament.

During the first 110 minutes of action, Nebraska managed three shots on goal, two of which came from Brandt. NU’s defense recorded its fifth shutout despite Ohio State outshooting the Huskers by a 16-7 margin. The Buckeyes’ six shots on goal were all saved by Corder.

The sixth-seeded Huskers face No. 7 seed Minnesota in the Big Ten Semifinals on Friday at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind. The game, set to start at 12:30 p.m. (CT), will be televised on the Big Ten Network. The Golden Gophers upset No. 2 seed Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J., on Sunday by a 1-0 margin with the game-winning goal in the 88th minute.

In Friday’s other Big Ten Semifinal match, top-seeded Penn State faces No. 5 seed Illinois, at 10 a.m. (CT) at Grand Park. That game will also be televised on BTN.

The Big Ten Final is set for Sunday, Nov. 4 at Grand Park, starting at 11 a.m. (CT).