Huskers Host Hawkeyes in Regular Season Finale

Nebraska vs. Iowa
Saturday, April 3 • 1:05 p.m. (CT)
Hibner Stadium
Lincoln, Neb.
 
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The Nebraska women’s soccer team is set to play its final regular season game this weekend as it hosts Iowa on Saturday, April 3 at 1:05 p.m. (CT). The Huskers (1-5-3) will play their third consecutive home game, and second in front of a home crowd, when they take the field Saturday against the Hawkeyes. 

Last Time Out

The Huskers faced two ranked opponents last week, falling to No. 9 Penn State, 0-3, on Sunday, March 28 after battling then-ranked No. 19 Rutgers through double overtime to a 0-0 draw on Thursday, March 25. 

Next Up

Following Saturday’s regular season conclusion, the Huskers await their wildcard weekend matchup. The wildcard weekend games will count as non-conference matches and will be contested April 8-11. More information regarding exact format, dates, times, opponents and locations for that weekend will be announced following the regular season conclusion on April 3. 

Kicking Off

• The Huskers own a 10-2-1 record against the Hawkeyes in the all-time series dating back to 2003. Nebraska is 7-1 against Iowa when playing in Lincoln. 
• Nebraska closes its regular season schedule at home for the ninth straight season. The team owns a 1-2-2 record at Hibner Stadium this season and is 24-17-12 in its six years on the field. 
• The Huskers are 12th in the conference with six points (three for a win, one for a tie) headed into the regular season finale. 
• With the tie against Rutgers on March 25, Nebraska has recorded three shutouts on the year. Nebraska has recorded at least three shutouts in every season since the program began in 1994. 
• Nebraska is ranked 222 in the latest RPI released by the NCAA this week. The team has met two ranked opponents this season in Rutgers and Penn State. 
• Last Sunday’s game against Penn State marked the first time since the Huskers closed the 2019 season against the Nittany Lions that fans were permitted back at Hibner Stadium. In compliance with local health guidelines and social distancing protocols, the team welcomed 270 Husker fans to the game. 
• Four of Nebraska’s five goals this season were scored by players who have previously not scored in a Nebraska uniform. Freshmen Eleanor Dale, who scored twice against Purdue, and Reagan Raabe, who scored the first goal against Michigan, netted Nebraska’s first three goals of the season. Sophomore Marissa Popoola scored her first career goal off a corner in the game against the Wolverines. Dakota Chan added her first of the season and third of her career against Illinois. 
• Goalkeeper Makinzie Short made nine saves in the Huskers’ game against Rutgers, a career-high mark for the sophomore. She has led the Huskers to three clean sheets on the year. 
• Grace Brown and Makinzie Short are two of 20 players who have seen action for the Huskers this season that have played all 885 minutes of game time this year.

Scouting the Iowa Hawkeyes

• Iowa enters the matchup 2-7-1 on the season with wins over Maryland and Purdue. 
• In their last outing, the Hawkeyes won a 1-0 decision over Purdue with Samantha Tawharu netting the lone goal in the 30th minute. 
• Gianna Gourley, Samantha Tawharu and Sarah Wheaton have each added a goal this season for Iowa. Tawharu and Gourley scored the teams’ game winnning goals in its two wins this season. 
• goalie of the last couple of games
• Freshman goalkeeper Macy Enneking has started the last three contests for the Hawkeyes. She has made 18 saves on the season while only allowing one goal. 
• In six of the last nine games, Iowa has held opponents to one or fewer goals.  
• According to the Big Ten Preseason Coaches’ Poll, Iowa was tabbed to finish sixth in the conference. The Hawkeyes currently stand in 11th place with seven points. 
• Head coach Dave DiIanni is 82-26-23 at the helm of the Hawkeyes and is in his seventh year at Iowa. He is assisted by Blair Quinn, Katelyn Longino and Drago Ceranic. 
• 2020-21 Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch: 

  • #9 Samantha Cary (Sophomore D): Cary has started each of Iowa’s 10 games this season, playing every minute in six of those contests. She has taken five shots on the year with four landing on goal. 
  • #2 Hailey Rydberg (Junior M): Rydberg leads the team with 23 shots on the year and recorded the team’s lone assist this season in the win over Purdue. 
  • #24 Sara Wheaton (Junior D): Wheaton is a three-year starter for the Hawkeyes’ backline. She scored the team’s lone goal in the 1-2 loss against Rutgers in the 84th minute on a penalty kick.