College Soccer Notes: Huskers open Big 12 tournament with Cowboys

Don't look for a scoring explosion in Nebraska's Big 12 tournament game Wednesday with Oklahoma State.

The Huskers shut out the Cowboys 2-0 early in October, and coach John Walker expects today's 11:30 a.m. game in San Antonio to come down to a play or two.

The fourth-seeded Huskers (11-4-4, 5-3-2) open the tournament, followed by Colorado-Texas, Missouri-Kansas and Texas A&M-Baylor.

“It wouldn't surprise me to get four 1-0 games,'' Walker said.

The Huskers played one of their better games against the Cowboys (12-7-0, 5-5-0), who have won five straight. Walker said Oklahoma State passes the ball well and is well-organized.

“We just have to try to do the same thing tomorrow,'' he said. “This is playoff time; you have to produce.''

Senior Anna Caniglia and sophomore Molly Thomas, flankers out of Millard North, have been producing all season, Walker said. Thomas has eight goals and seven assists and Caniglia five goals and nine assists, making them the second- and third-leading scorers behind freshman Morgan Marlborough, who has 21 goals and seven assists.

“They both have had fantastic seasons,'' Walker said. “Anna has been our most consistent player this year.''

The Huskers are excited about today's game, Walker said, and the early starting time isn't a concern because they practice at 7 a.m. They just need to win to improve their chances of reaching the NCAA tournament. The tournament semifinals start at 5:30 p.m. Friday, and the final is Sunday at 1 p.m.

“It's hard to keep you out if you keep winning,'' Walker said. “We just need to do the things we do well. We're a pressing team, a high-tempo team, and that's the way we want the game to go.''

Bluejay women one win from Valley final

Creighton women's coach Bruce Erickson isn't worried that no host team has won the Missouri Valley women's soccer tournament since 2005.

“I think every year is different,'' he said. “You want to be playing good soccer at this time of year, and we're playing pretty well at home. It's a good combination to have.''

The third-seeded Bluejays will throw that 1-2 punch at Missouri State in a semifinal match Friday at 6 p.m. at Morrison Stadium. Illinois State plays Drake at 3:30. The final is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.

The matchup with the Bears won't be easy, Erickson said. The Bluejays beat them 3-0 on Oct. 3, and he expects them to be fired up for the rematch.

“We've changed, they've changed,'' he said. “I think both teams are better. That's how we're approaching it.''

One player who has grown for CU is Brittney Neumann, a freshman out of Millard North. She has stepped up and become the Bluejays' leading scorer with seven goals and five assists.

She was named the Valley offensive player of the week after tallying three points last week, including the game-winning goal against Evansville in the quarterfinals on Sunday.

“She's just in a groove right now. It's good for us,'' Erickson said. “We're expecting big things from her.''

Neumann has helped fill the void left by the graduation of All-Missouri Valley player Marcy Gans, who had 15 goals last season. The defense is doing its part, too. Erickson said all his defenders have scored, led by Kelly Connolly, a sophomore out of Omaha Skutt, with four goals.

“I think we're playing good soccer at the right time. I don't think we've played our best game,'' Erickson said. “I think we're capable of putting a great weekend together.''

— Marjie Ducey

Contact the writer:

444-1034, marjie.ducey@owh.com