Huskers' Late Comeback Leads to Draw in Conference Opener

Reagan Raabe and Ella Rudney netted two goals in the last seven minutes of the game and the Nebraska soccer team tied with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 2-2, on Thursday evening at Barbara Hibner Stadium.

The Huskers moved to 5-0-3 (0-0-1 Big Ten) while Minnesota went to 4-2-1 (0-0-1 Big Ten). NU remained undefeated on the season and has not lost a game through eight contests so far. The Big Red also went undefeated through eight games in 2023, when it won the Big Ten Championship and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, Nebraska had the advantage in shots (17-8), shots on goal (7-4) and corner kicks (8-3). Raabe took six shots and Rudney logged four, and Ellie Felt and Charlie Wistrom each added two. Reese Borer had two assists on the night, while Rudney and Waite each recorded one.

Cece Villa (4-0-3) claimed the tie for the Huskers. She played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded two saves. 

Raabe's goal came at 83:47, assisted by Rudney and Rudney's was at 87:49, assisted by Waite. 

Minnesota grabbed the advantage quickly, as Caroline Birdsell scored just 47 seconds into the game. That was Villa’s first goal allowed in almost 209 minutes in the net. Kate Childers extended the advantage in the 23rd minute of the game and the Gophers led 2-0 going into the break. 

The Huskers took 10 shots to Minnesota’s eight in the first half, but only two were on goal. 

NU will continue Big Ten competition with road trips to No. 8 Penn State and No. 22 Ohio State. The Huskers will face the Nittany Lions at 5 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, Sept. 18 and the Buckeyes at 11 a.m. (CT) on Sunday, Sept. 21. Thursday’s game will be streamed on the Big Ten Network and Sunday’s will be streamed on B1G+.