Huskers Continue Exhibition Play at Oklahoma

After Monday night’s commanding 5-1 victory over Kansas City, the No. 6 Nebraska soccer team travels to Oklahoma for its second and final tune-up of the season on Friday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. (CT). 

Last Time Out
In the first of two exhibition matches, the Huskers scored four goals in the first half to claim the 5-1 victory over the Roos at Hibner Stadium in front of 953 fans. 

Next Up
NU opens the regular season next week at home when the Huskers host Oklahoma State on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 7:05 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 Oklahoma Sooners

• Oklahoma finished the 2023 season with an 8-10-2 record overall and 3-5-2 mark in conference play. The Sooners defeated Oklahoma State to open the Big 12 tournament, but fell to BYU in the second round to end the season. 
• The Sooners will open the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 15 at North Texas. 
• Head Coach Matt Mott enters his second season at the helm of the Oklahoma soccer program. He was previously at Ole Miss and has a combined 147-107-34 coaching record. 
• Players to Watch
• #31 Leonie Weber (Senior F): Appeared in all 20 matches and led the Sooners with five assists and ranked second with five goals, good for a 15-point season 
• #1 Sierra Giorgio (Redshirt Junior GK): Led OU goalkeepers with 13 appearances and 961 minutes last season, started five matches and tallied 30 saves and three wins