Nebraska Opens 2021 Season At Home Against Western Illinois

Nebraska (0-0) vs. Western Illinois (0-0)
Thursday, Aug. 19 • 7:05 p.m. (CT)
Barbara Hibner Stadium
Lincoln, Neb.

» Regular Season Opener

» Live Stats: huskers.com 

» TV/Video Stream: btnplus.com

» Radio Stream: KRNU

» Twitter Updates: @NebraskaSoccer

After playing a pair of exhibition matches, the Nebraska soccer team begins the regular season this week at home against Western Illinois. 

Kickoff for the season opener is set for Thursday at 7:05 p.m. (CT) at Hibner Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Fans can watch the action via BTN+ (additional subscription required). The game will also be aired on the radio at KRNU and live stats can be viewed at huskers.com. Twitter updates are available by following @NebraskaSoccer. 

Last Time Out

The Huskers defeated the Bison in last week’s exhibition matchup by an impressive margin, 8-0.

Next Up

NU travels to Missouri to square off with the Tigers for the first away game of the season. Kickoff for the game between the former conference foes is set for Sunday, Aug. 22 at 3:00 p.m. and will be aired on ESPN+ (subscription required).

Kicking Off

• Senior Dakota Chan and sophomores Eleanor Dale and Reagan Raabe received Big Ten Preseason Honors recognition, announced by the conference on Monday.

• The Big Ten also released its preseason poll on Monday, as voted on by the conference coaches. Nebraska is picked to finish 12th in the conference.

• The Huskers shined on offense during last week’s tune-up games, scoring a combined 13 goals with freshman Sarah Weber, sophomore Eleanor Dale and freshman Allison Napora finding the net in both games.

• Four of Nebraska’s 2021 opponents earned a spot or received votes in the preseason United Soccer Coaches poll, released on Aug. 4. The teams are Rutgers, Arizona State, Wisconsin and Michigan.

• NU will host 10 regular-season games in the seventh year of Hibner Stadium, after hosting six conference matches in an abbreviated 2020 season. Additionally, this year’s slate features eight non-conference and 10 conference games. 

Scouting the Western Illinois Leathernecks

• In its first exhibition match of the season, Western Illinois tied Southeast Missouri State, 1-1, on Sunday, Aug. 8 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

• Last season, Western Illinois went 2-13-1 and finished ninth in the Summit League.

• Thursday’s matchup will be the first recorded game the Huskers have played against the Leathernecks.

• After facing Nebraska, Western Illinois stays on the road and faces the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

• Head Coach Dr. Johnson is 17-64-5 in his sixth season as the women’s head coach at WIU. He is also the head coach of the Western Illinois men’s soccer team. Johnson is assisted by Josée Primeau and Murray Cockburn.

• Players to Watch

• #7 Amy Andrews (Senior F): Team-high seven goals last season
• #9 Jenna Lundgren (Senior M): Team-high four assists last season
• #30 Megan Rasmussen (Senior GK): Recorded one shutout and 42 saves in 11 games last season