Huskers Visit Eastern Washington, Gonzaga

The Nebraska soccer team (1-0-1) aims to continue its momentum from last weekend when the Huskers hit the road to meet Eastern Washington and Gonzaga.

The Huskers and Eagles (0-2-0) square off Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT at EWU Soccer Field in Cheney, Wash. NU’s match against Gonzaga (2-0-0) is slated for Sunday, starting at 3 p.m. CT in Spokane, Wash. Fans can watch both Thursday's and Sunday’s game on ESPN+ and track the action by viewing the live stats on goeags.com and gozags.com.

Last Time Out
The Huskers scored four goals combined in the first two games of the season, recording a tie against Creighton and a victory over Baylor. 

Next Up 
The Huskers host Missouri on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Hibner Stadium before hitting the road for a match against Kansas State on Sunday. Sept. 3 in Manhattan, Kan. 

Kicking Off

• Senior Eleanor Dale has started on an impressive note as she’s scored one goal, two assists and nine shots combined in the Huskers’ first two games.
• The Big Ten also released its preseason poll on Tuesday, as voted by the head coaches. Nebraska is picked to finish sixth in the conference.  
• Nebraska continues its tradition of playing a strong schedule in 2023. This year’s slate features five opponents who qualified for the 2022 NCAA Tournament, as Saint Louis and Rutgers lost in the first round, Ohio State advanced to the second round and both Penn State and Northwestern made it to the Sweet 16.
• The Huskers have nine regular-season home games scheduled for their ninth season at Barbara Hibner Stadium in 2023. Additionally, NU will host two exhibitions, four non-conference and five conference matches.
• Nebraska returns all four All-Big Ten performers from last season, junior Weber, seniors Reagan Raabe and Dale, and sophomore Lauryn Anglim. Nebraska’s all-time all-conference total increased to 106, including 36 honorees since joining the Big Ten in 2011. Weber became the 51st first-team all-conference selection in program history and seventh first-teamer for Nebraska as a member of the Big Ten.  
• During the off-season, both Dale and Weber were named to their respective national teams as Dale was called up to England’s U23 Squad and Weber made the U.S. U23 Women’s National team.
• Head Coach John Walker enters his 30th season, alongside assistant coaches Savanah Anderson-Baer (first season), Ian Bridge (eighth season) and Marty Everding (26th season).                

Scouting the Eastern Washington Eagles

• Eastern Washington is 0-2-0 on the year with a recent 2-3 loss to Pacific last weekend.
• EWU was picked to finish fifth in the conference preseason coaches’ poll. Last season, EWU went 5-8-5 overall and finished seventh in the Big Sky with a 2-3-3 mark in conference play. The 2022 campaign was highlighted by a 1-1 draw against Oregon State in the non-con schedule, the team’s first draw in program history against a Pac-12 team.
• Thursday’s game marks the first meeting between the two schools.
• Head Coach Missy Strasburg is 10-22-5 in her third season as head coach at EWU. Strasburg is assisted by Nate Ulness.
• Players to Watch 
  • #15 Maddie Morgan (Senior F): Returns for her senior season after being named Big Sky Co-Offensive Player of the Year and earning the Co-Golden Boot Award in 2022
  • #14 Madison Kem (Senior MF): Earned her fourth-straight Big Sky first team selection last year, after scoring three goals an tallying 15 shots (8 SOG)
  • #0 Kamryn Willoughby (Sophomore GK): Made 85 saves last season and recorded four shutouts in her freshman year 

Scouting the Gonzaga Bulldogs

• Gonzaga is 2-0-0 this season, with a recent thrilling 7-5 victory over Hawaii on Sunday.
• The Bulldogs host Weber State on Thursday night before facing Nebraska on Sunday.
• Gonzaga leads the all-time series between the two teams, 0-1-0. The first matchup happened in 2019 with the Bulldogs winning 1-2.
• Head Coach Chris Watkins is in his eighth year at Gonzaga with a 66-29-12 record. He is assisted by Katie Benz, Whitney Pitalo and Maddie Cooley.
• Players to Watch
  • #6 Willow Collins (Junior D): Named Preseason All-WCC, tallied two goals and three assists last season
  • #7 Kelsey Oyler (Junior D): Tabbed Honorable Mention All-Conference last season with a goal and three assists