Huskers Meet Roos in First of Two Exhibitions

The Nebraska soccer team hosts its first of two tune-ups at Hibner Stadium on Monday, Aug. 5 at 7:05 p.m. (CT) against Kansas City. Admission is free, and the event will be cashless.

Next up, the Huskers will hit the road for their second and final exhibition match of the season at Oklahoma on Friday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. (CT). 

Quick Notes

• The 2023 season was one to remember as NU ended the year ranked No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches poll after an impressive NCAA-tournament run, finishing in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1999.
• Last season, the Husker coaching staff was named the NCAA North Region Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches and Eleanor Dale, Sarah Weber and Jordan Zade earned spots on the 2023 All-North Region team. Dale also garnered first-team NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer All-America honors, as she became the 20th All-American in program history and the fourth first-team honoree.
• The 2023 Big Ten Champs finished the season atop the conference rankings in goals scored with 68, also good for fifth in the nation. The Huskers received numerous conference awards led by NCAA First-Team All-American Dale who became the first Husker to claim the Big Ten Forward of the Year honor. Dale was joined by Weber as a first-team All-Big Ten member, and defender Zade and midfielder Haley Peterson were named to the second team.
• The Huskers have 10 regular-season home games scheduled for their 10th season at Hibner Stadium in 2024. Additionally, NU will host one exhibition, five non-conference and five conference matches.
• Nebraska went 3-1-2 during the spring season with victories over Colorado, Kansas and Omaha. 
• NU returns three of four All-Big Ten performers from last season, seniors Weber, Peterson and Zade. Nebraska’s all-time all-conference total increased to 110, including 38 honorees since joining the Big Ten in 2011.
• Last season, many Huskers were high in individual standings as Weber tallied 16 total goals, good for fifth in the nation, and midfielder Florence Belzile recorded a team-high 17 assists, which ranked first in the conference and second nationally. Additionally, Belzile’s assists tied for second-most in both conference and Husker history. 
• During the 2023 season, the Huskers averaged 1,326 fans per game at Hibner Stadium, third most in Husker history and 15th in the nation. NU garnered 2,318 fans in the NCAA Second Round match versus Tennessee, the most fans in attendance since 2015.
• Head Coach John Walker enters his 31st season, alongside assistant coaches Savanah Anderson-Baer (second season), Ian Bridge (ninth season) and Marty Everding (27th season). 

Scouting the Kansas City Roos 

• Kansas City finished the 2023 season with a 3-7-8 record overall and 2-3-3 mark in conference play. The Roos lost in the opening round of the Summit League Tournament to Oral Roberts, 1-2. 
• After facing NU, Kansas City will travel to Saint Louis, Mo., for its season opener against the Billikens on Thursday, Aug. 15.
• Head Coach Jess Smith enters her fifth season at the helm of the Kansas City soccer program. Smith has a 15-43-14 record with the Roos. 
• Players to Watch
  • #0 Riley Moore (Graduate GK): Summit League All-Tournament Team, averaged 4.8 saves per game, second most in the Summit and 74th in the NCAA, made seven-plus saves in six games 
  • #29 Brianna Castleberry (Redshirt Sophomore MF): First Team All-Summit, one of five players to start all 18 games, scored a team-high six goals on the year, ranking seventh in the Summit League