Despite outshooting Oklahoma and an outstanding performance in the net, the Nebraska soccer team didn’t have enough steam to hang on against the Sooners.
The Huskers (3-1) fell for the first time this season and in heartbreaking fashion. Oklahoma (2-2) scored the lone goal of the match to win 1-0 in overtime Sunday in Norman, Oklahoma.
It marked the Sooners’ first win against the Huskers since 2014. Nebraska does lead the series 13-5 overall, winning 2-1 in 2018 and tying in 2019.
Nebraska outshot Oklahoma 18-17, including a 5-1 advantage in the first overtime. However, in the 108th minute, Ella Pappas found the back of the net for the Sooners off an assist from Sheridan Michel.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sami Hauk made her fourth start of the season, making a career-high nine saves. Hauk was sidelined with an injury with less than a minute left in regulation and Makinzie Short came in relief with one save in 18 minutes.
Nebraska’s 15 shots on goal were spread among eight different players, led by freshman Allison Napora’s career-high three shots. Reagan Raabe, Dakota Chan, Theresa Pujado, Sarah Weber and Kenzie Coons each finished with two shots.
The Huskers return to action at 7 p.m. Thursday when they host Omaha at Hibner Stadium.
Photos: Huskers blank Western Illinois 3-0 in season opener
Western Illinois’ Alieya Pires (left) heads the ball away from Nebraska’s Sarah Weber (42) in the first half Thursday, Aug. 19, at Hibner Stadium.
Nebraska’s Theresa Pujado (9) heads the ball up the field in the first half against Western Illinois on Thursday, Aug. 19, at Hibner Stadium.
Nebraska’s Abbey Schwarz (6) leaps over Western Illinois goalkeeper Isabel Navas Rodriguez in the first half Thursday, Aug. 19, at Hibner Stadium.
Nebraska’s Abbey Schwarz (6) collides with Western Illinois goalkeeper Isabel Navas Rodriguez as they both go for the ball as Alieya Pires (14) looks on in the first half Thursday, Aug. 19, at Hibner Stadium.
Nebraska goalkeeper Sami Hauk (top) leaps to save a shot on goal as teammate Olivia Brown (22) and Western Illinois’ Amy Andrews look on in the first half Thursday, Aug. 19, at Hibner Stadium.
Western Illinois goalkeeper Isabel Navas Rodriguez (0) gets hers hands on a corner kick from Nebraska’s Dakota Chan (not shown) as the Huskers’ Abbey Schwarz (6) and Sarah Weber look on in the first half Thursday, Aug. 19, at Hibner Stadium.
Western Illinois’ Angie Knies (left) lashes the ball past teammate Caroline Gomes (19) and Nebraska’s Jordan Zade in the first half Thursday, Aug. 19, at Hibner Stadium.
Nebraska’s Reagan Raabe (left) celebrates her opening goal for the Huskers with teammate Abbey Schwarz in the first half against Western Illinois on Thursday at Hibner Stadium.
Nebraska’s Gwen Lane clears the ball during the first half against Western Illinois on Thursday, Aug. 19, at Hibner Stadium. Nebraska won 3-0.
Western Illinois’ Ellie Kiely (center) gets in the way of a celebration by Nebraska’s Allison Napora (right) after Napora’s goal gave the Huskers a 2-0 lead in the first half Thursday, Aug. 19, at Hibner Stadium. Western Illinois’ Lauryn Peters (5) look on.
