Huskers Face Fighting Illini, Hawkeyes

Illinois at Nebraska
Thursday, Oct. 13 • 7:05 p.m. (CT)
Hibner Stadium
Lincoln, Neb. 

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Nebraska at Iowa

Sunday, Oct. 16 • 1:00 p.m. (CT)

Iowa Soccer Complex

Iowa City, Iowa

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This week, the Nebraska soccer team hosts Illinois on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. (CT) before traveling to Iowa for a matchup on Sunday at the Iowa Soccer Complex, beginning at 1:00 p.m. (CT).

Last Time Out

Sarah Weber recorded her team-leading seventh goal of the season to help the Huskers claim their fifth tie of the year with a 2-2 finish on Saturday afternoon at Hibner Stadium.

Next Up

After this week’s conference matches, Nebraska ­will host Penn State on Thursday and travel to Wisconsin on Sunday to close out regular season play.

Quick Notes

• Weber, a preseason player to watch, continues to lead the conference standings in shots with 61 through 14 games of play. Junior Eleanor Dale follows closely behind in second place with 47 shots in 13 games this season.

• Weber also leads the Huskers on the offensive side as she has tallied a team-high seven goals on the season, good for seventh in the Big Ten standings.

• Nebraska has held strong on defense recording four shutouts on the year. Junior goalkeeper Hauk has eight career wins and now ranks eighth in saves per game and seventh in shutouts in the conference standings.

• NU enters the week tied for fifth in the conference standings with 11 points (three points for a win, one point for a tie).

• Three of NU’s six freshman have seen the pitch so far this year. The Huskers started Lauryn Anglim and Sadie Waite against Ohio State on Saturday.

• Nebraska is ranked 56th in this week’s RPI, released by the NCAA on Monday.

• Nebraska’s devoted fan base has continued its strong attendance numbers at Hibner Stadium this season. In 10 games this season, NU welcomed 8,508 fans, an average of 851 per contest. This average ranks 18th nationally and is second in the Big Ten, as Michigan State ranks sixth nationally with 1,730 fans per game.

• Head Coach John Walker is in his 29th season, alongside assistant coaches Ian Bridge (seventh season), Marty Everding (25th season) and Samantha Areman (second season).

Huskers Celebrating 29th Season in 2022

• The Nebraska soccer program is in its 29th year since the inaugural campaign in 1994. Head Coach John Walker has been at the helm of the team since its inception, guiding the Huskers to more than 340 all-time victories.

• Nebraska has made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in its first 27 seasons, including two trips to the Elite Eight and eight Sweet 16 berths.

• The Huskers have captured four conference regular-season titles and six conference tournament crowns. As a member of the Big 12, NU won the regular-season championship in 1996, 1999 and 2000, while winning the tournament title in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011 and two seasons later, swept the regular-season and tournament crowns.

Scouting the Illinois Fighting Illini

• Illinois is 7-5-2 overall with a 2-3-1 record in Big Ten play. The Fighting Illini are coming off last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Purdue.

• Illinois leads the all-time series between the teams, 8-4-0, dating back to the first meeting between the schools in 2004. Most recently, the Huskers defeated the Fighting Illini last season in Champaign, 3-1. 

• Head Coach Janet Rayfield is 220-165-38 in her 21st season at Illinois. Rayfield is assisted by Jeff Freeman, Sammy Jo Prudhomme and Nichole Tiggs.

• Players to Watch

• #12 Kendra Pasquale (Redshirt Senior M): Leads the team in goals (five) and points (11)
• #23 Maeve Jones (Sophomore F): Leads the team in assists (two) and has recorded two goals this season
• #1 Julia Cili (Junior GK): Has earned three shutouts this season, while recording 74 saves

Scouting the Iowa Hawkeyes
• Iowa is 3-6-5 this season with a 0-3-3 record in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes face Purdue on Thursday night before their matchup against Nebraska on Sunday.
• NU leads the all-time series between the two teams, 11-3-1, dating back to 2003. Most recently, the Huskers defeated the Hawkeyes in 2020-21 in Lincoln, 1-0.
• Head Coach Dave Dilanni is 83-69-16 in his ninth season at Iowa. Dilanni is assisted by Blair Quin, Katelyn Longino and Bennet Luethje.
• Players to Watch

• #2 Hailey Rydberg (Graduate M): Tied for team-high in goals (three) and holds the team-high in assists (four)
• #23 Elle Otto (Sophomore F): Tied for the team-high in goals (three), while tallying three assists
• #28 Monia Wilhelm (Redshirt Senior GK): Has recorded three shutouts and 41 saves this season