Huskers Look to NC State, USC

NC State at Nebraska
Thursday, Sept. 8 • 7:05 p.m. (CT)

Hibner Stadium

Lincoln, Neb.

» Video Stream: B1G+

» Live Stats: huskers.com

» Twitter Updates: @NebraskaSoccer

USC at Nebraska

Sunday, Sept. 11 • 1 p.m. (CT)

Hibner Stadium

Lincoln, Neb.

» TV: BTN

» Live Stats: huskers.com

» Twitter Updates: @NebraskaSoccer

The Nebraska soccer team (2-3-1) hosts a pair of non-conference foes this week when NC State and USC visit Hibner Stadium.

The Huskers and Wolfpack (4-1-1) square off Thursday at 7:05 p.m. (CT) for Pepsi Pack the House. The match will also feature a raffle and will be streamed live on B1G+.

On Sunday, Nebraska hosts USC (2-1-0), starting at 1:00 p.m. (CT) on the Big Ten Network. Dean Linke and Jackie Manny will call the action on BTN.

Fans can purchase tickets for both matches this week by calling 1-800-8 BIG RED or by visiting Huskers.com/tickets. The match can also be tracked by following @NebraskaSoccer on Twitter or via live stats on Huskers.com.

Last Time Out

NU traveled to St. Louis and fell to the Billikens, 5-1, on Sunday.

 

Next Up

The Huskers will open conference-play at home on Friday, Sept. 16 against Minnesota at 7:05 p.m. (CT).

 

Kicking Off

• Sophomore Sarah Weber, a preseason conference player to watch, leads the team with three goals and 25 shots in six games of play.

• In the goal, junior Sami Hauk has recorded 21 saves and two wins to bring her career total to five victories.

• Nebraska continues its tradition of playing a strong schedule in 2022. This year’s slate features eight NCAA Tournament qualifiers from last season, including two that advanced to the Sweet 16 and one that reached the Elite Eight. 

• This season, the Huskers will have two nationally televised games as both their home game against USC on Sept. 11 and their away game at Purdue on Sept. 29 will be on BTN. 

• During Big Ten play, five of Nebraska’s 10 conference opponents qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season.

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

 

Scouting the NC State Wolfpack

• NC State is 4-1-1 this season. Last week, the Wolfpack defeated Elon, 2-1, and lost to Harvard, 2-0.

• Last season, NC State went 9-9-2 en route to a second-round finish at the NCAA tournament.

• Nebraska leads the all-time series against NC State, 1-0, dating back to the first meeting between the schools in 2018 when Nebraska emerged with a 2-1 victory.

• Head Coach Tim Santoro is 80-83-18 in his tenth season at NC State. Santoro is assisted by Glen Tourville, Steve McKenna and Justin Bryant.

• Players to Watch

    » #15 Jameese Joseph (Senior F): Team-high three goals and 25 shots

    » #12 Jaiden Thomas (Senior MF): Team-high three assists

    » #19 Maria Echezarreta (Junior GK): 17 saves in six games

Scouting the USC Trojans

• USC is 2-1 this season and enters the week with a 3-0 victory over TCU.

• The Trojans visit CSUN on Thursday night before facing the Huskers on Sunday.

• Last season, USC went 14-3-3 and qualified for the NCAA tournament, making it to the second round.

• Nebraska leads the all-time series against USC, 3-2, dating back to the first meeting between the schools in 1995. Most recently, the Trojans came out on top in 2019, 2-0.

• Head Coach Jane Alukonis is in her first season at USC with a 2-1 record. Alukonis is assisted by Amy Rodriguez and Sugar Shinohara.

• Players to Watch

    » #7 Croix Bethune (Senior MF): Team-high two goals and two assists  

    » #25 Aaliyah Farmer (Sophomore MF): One goal and two shots on goal

    » #1 Anna Smith (Graduate GK): 10 saves, two wins and three goals allowed in three games