Nebraska Continues Season-Opening Road Slate at Michigan State

Nebraska (0-0-1) at Michigan State (0-0-1)
Thursday, Feb. 25 • Noon (CT)

Schoolcraft College

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The Nebraska women’s soccer team continues its season-opening road slate with a match against Michigan State on Thursday, Feb. 25. The game kicks off at noon (CT) and will be played indoors at Schoolcraft College. 

Both teams enter the game with one tie on their records after the first week of the season. In the all-time series, the Huskers own a 4-3-1 edge over the Spartans. NU has won the last three matchups between the two conference foes. 

 

Last Time Out

The Huskers battled to a 0-0 draw against Minnesota in the season-opener in Minneapolis on Feb. 21.  NU landed four shots on goal in an effort to put one past the Gophers. Makinzie Short made two saves on the day to keep Minnesota scoreless through 110 minutes of action.

 

Kicking Off

• Senior Grace Brown and juniors Dakota Chan and Kenzie Coons earned spots on the Big Ten’s Players to Watch List ahead of the 2020-21 season. The conference also released its preseason poll, which tabbed Nebraska to finish ninth in the conference.

• Dakota Chan recorded two shots on goal against Minnesota, a career high mark for the senior and second-best shot total for her career in a single game.

• Makinzie Short’s first career start against Minnesota also marked her first shutout for the Big Red. Her consecutive scoreless minutes are now 122:38, dating back to August 22, 2019.

• Following this week’s action on the road, the Huskers return to Lincoln for three straight home games, starting with Purdue on Thursday, March 4.

Scouting the Spartans

• Michigan State enters the matchup after tying Maryland 1-1 in their first match of the year.

• Gia Wahlberg scored the Spartans’ first goal of the season in the 63rd minute of the game against the Terrapins, capitalizing off a deflected cross from Paige Webber.

• In goal, Lauren Kozal made four saves on 13 shots faced after playing the entire game for the Spartans.

• Head Coach Tom Saxton is 273-242-56 in his 30th season at Michigan State. Saxton is assisted by Tammy Farnum, Stacy DeLonge and Madison Pollard.

• Players to Watch:

            » #00 Lauren Kozal (Redshirt Sophomore GK): Returning starter at goalkeeper for the Spartans, recorded five shutouts in 2019 with a .738 save percentage.

            » #14 Bria Schrotenboer (Sophomore D): 2019 Big Ten All-Freshman Team member. Recorded one goal and one assist in 16 games ifor the Gophers last season.

            » #15 Gia Wahlberg (Junior F): Led the Spartans in scoring in 2019, netting four game-winning goals and added 18 points for the team. Scored the Spartans’ lone goal in the season-opener against Maryland.