April 21, 2008

Lincoln, NE (UWIRE) -- The Nebraska soccer team's record improved to 5-4-1 following its 1-0 defeat at Creighton on Saturday evening and a 5-3 victory in the alumni game on Sunday.

Despite keeping the Bluejays scoreless for more than 75 minutes Saturday, CU finally broke through with a laser to the upper corner of the net past an outstretched Jessica Mills. Mills played all 90 minutes in the net for the Cornhuskers.

"It was a really fun day (Saturday)," said NU junior forward Shay Powell. "It wasn't our best performance, but it was really good to come out and end the spring on a good note. We've worked so hard this spring."

Powell said the big thing this spring was the mentality of players on the field and not being in the "freshman" mindset. She said the squad worked on defensive techniques and fine tuned its skills in preparation for the upcoming fall season.

"The team really came together (in the spring season)," Powell said. "We played awesome in Colorado, and it's too bad that we came to Creighton and didn't perform up to par. I'm so excited about next fall."

Even with the loss, the spring season ended on a high note, as the Huskers hosted former soccer players in the alumni game, defeating the alums 5-3.

Husker greats like Brittany Timko, Sasha Andrews, Kori Saunders and Brooke Bredenberg were in attendance Sunday afternoon.

Timko, along with former teammate Christine Latham have been with the team for the majority of the spring season helping its progression.

"I've just been practicing with the team in the morning, (and) I really don't need to help them with a whole lot," Timko said jokingly after the match. "They're a really great group to play with."

Timko said it speaks for how strong the NU soccer program has become under helm of Coach John Walker, with so many alums wanting to come back and play.

The Huskers began the match fielding their second-team players before sending in the regular-season starters for a shortened second half.

Despite heavy wind gusts forcing teams to struggle with ball control for much of the first half, freshman Michaella Fulmer got things started for the Huskers on the right foot as she rifled a shot to the back of the net in the 30th minute. Nearly two minutes later, Fulmer found the back of the net once again to put the Huskers ahead 2-0 heading into the half.

In the second half, and with the starters on the field to begin play, the Huskers began right where they left off, finding the back of the net in the 55th and 57th minutes with goals by junior Lindsay Poehling from 25 yards out and Powell, respectively.

Powell went toe-to-toe with Andrews on a dribble into the corner before firing off a shot from the right side that beat the alums goalkeeper.

Freshman Anna White added the fifth and final goal for the Huskers in the 62nd minute as she put back the rebound from fellow teammate Colleen Goetzmann.

It looked like the alums were down and out for the count, however the former greats dominated the final 15 minutes of the friendly competition.

While the alums had the momentum and were looking for a comeback, the Husker defense remained strong, notching the final victory in the spring season.

"It's a different atmosphere," junior Lauren Isenhower said. "(The alums) come back and are here to have fun, and John tells us we need to play somewhat hard. It's different because every day for the last four months has been really hard training and really focused."

(C) 2008 Daily Nebraskan via UWIRE