Nebraska Soccer kicks off home portion of conference slate Thursday

LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Athletics Press Release) – The Nebraska soccer team (3-6-0, 0-3-0 Big Ten) is looking to bounce back after a four-match losing skid as the Huskers host a pair of conference foes in Illinois and #15 Penn State. Both matches will be played at Hibner Stadium, as NU faces the Fighting Illini on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. (CT) and the Nittany Lions on Sunday at 12 p.m. (CT). Thursday’s match will be streamed on Big Ten Plus, while Sunday’s game will be aired nationally on BTN.

Fans can purchase general admission and single match tickets to each game by calling 1-800-8 BIG RED or by visiting //Huskers.com/tickets.

Scouting Illinois

• Illinois finished the 2023 season with a 6-8-3 mark overall and 2-6-2 record in conference play. The Huskers topped Illinois 4-2 to close the season, and Illinois didn’t qualify for postseason play. 
• The Fighting Illini are 4-4-2 on the season with quality wins over DePaul and Illinois State. After traveling to Nebraska on Thursday, Illinois will host Maryland on Sunday. 
• Head Coach Janet Rayfield is in her 23rd season at the helm of the Illinois soccer program. The winningest coach in Illinois soccer history holds a 230-179-45 career record, while totalling 104 conference victories. 
• Illinois leads the all-time series 8-6-0 between the two teams. NU has won the last three matchups. 

Scouting #15 Penn State

• In the 2023 season, Penn State finished 16-3-4 overall and made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament but fell 2-1 to top-ranked Clemson. 
• Penn State has opened the 2024 season with an 8-2-1 record and six shutouts. The Nittany Lions face #18 Iowa on Thursday night before its matchup against Nebraska on Sunday. 
• Head Coach Erica Dambach is in her 18th season at Penn State and 31st season overall. With the Nittany Lions, Dambach holds a 282-94-30 record. 
• Penn State leads the all-time series between the programs, 7-3-2, dating back to 2011. Most recently, PSU topped Nebraska in 2023, 1-0.

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