Huskers Host Two Ranked Teams This Week

The Nebraska soccer team (1-0-1) will welcome the No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Thursday, Aug. 20 and the No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday, Aug. 23. Thursday’s game is set for 7:05 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Sunday’s match will start at 12:05 p.m. (CT) and be streamed on B1G+. Tickets for both contests are available at huskers.com/tickets. Live stats can be followed here.

Last Time Out
Nebraska tied South Dakota, 1-1, on Sunday, Aug. 16. Freshman Emma Donnelly scored NU’s lone goal in the 83rd minute.

Quick Notes

• The last time NU hosted a top 10 team was last season, when NU fell, 0-1, to eighth-ranked Iowa.
• NU also faced back-to-back ranked opponents last year in No. 8 Penn State and No. 21 Ohio State.
• The Huskers’ season-opener win over Louisville to open the season was the first season-opening win over a Power 5 team since 2018.
• Nebraska will host 10 regular-season home matches this year, including six home Big Ten contests.
• NU grabbed wins over South Dakota State, Creighton, Iowa State and Colorado during the spring. The Big Red also tied with Kansas.
• Kayma Carpenter, Ella Guyott and Ella Rudney were all named Big Ten Players to Watch.
• The Huskers return 10 letterwinners from last year’s team.
• NU will welcome nine newcomers, including seven freshmen and two transfers in goalkeeper Avery Gillahan and forward Nathalie Lewis. Lewis recorded a hat trick during the spring season.
• Head Coach John Walker enters his 33rd season, alongside assistant coaches Savanah Anderson-Baer (fourth season), Ian Bridge (11th season) and Austen Parker (first season). Walker has a 379-208-67 record in his career and has coached all 32 seasons in Nebraska soccer history.

Scouting the #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-0-2)

• Notre Dame opened the season with ties against No. 23 Penn State and Samford, who received votes in this week’s USCA poll.
• The Fighting Irish were No. 2 in the USCA preseason poll after going 15-2-3 last season and appearing in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
• Lily Joseph has scored the only two goals for Notre Dame this season. Ellie Hodsden adds an assist.
• Head Coach Nate Norman is in his ninth season at the helm of the Fighting Irish. He is 97-44-20 with Notre Dame and 155-79-34 in his career.

Scouting the #18 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0-0)

• Alabama is 2-0-0 on the season with wins over Saint Louis and No. 21 Memphis. 
• The Crimson Tide went 11-9-2 last season with a 4-6-0 mark in SEC play. They made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 
• Larkin Thomason has two goals for Alabama this year, while Avery Brown and Ashley Roni add one score apiece. Melina Rebimas and Paige Thompson have each contributed an assist.
• Head Coach Wes Hart is in his 12th season at Alabama and in his career. He has compiled a 120-84-27 record.