Early season loss doesn't dampen Husker spirit

The Cornhusker women's soccer team is looking to rebound from a heartbreaking loss as they play their first home match of the season Friday night against UC Riverside.

The Huskers dropped a 4-3 match at Northwestern last Friday, their first loss in a home-opening match since 2004. Northwestern rushed out to a 3-1 lead after a scoreless first half, but two goals by sophomore Michaella Fulmer knotted the game at 3. It also marked the first time the Huskers had ever fought back to a tie from a second half two-goal deficit on the road. The Wildcats won the game in the 87th minute by scoring off a rebound.

As it is, UC Riverside has dominated both teams it has played so far. The Highlanders have outscored their two opponents 9-0 in Southern Utah and CSU Bakersfield. The visiting team also has defensive strength led by senior goalkeeper Brittany Goetz and her current streak of 149 shutout minutes.

But the Huskers know what this game means to their season.

"I think this game is more important than most home openers because it's hopefully going to be that game that puts us back on our right path," junior defender Anna Caniglia said.

Head coach John Walker wants the Huskers to maintain their positive attitude for this weekend.

"It's one thing to have a bad start to a season, but you don't want to come down to feeling so bad about yourself that you're not able to perform in the second game," he said.

NU has been solid in recent home openers, winning its last three, including a 5-1 blowout of St. Louis last season. The Huskers' last home opening loss was at the hands of then-No. 1 North Carolina at the Abbott Sports Complex. However, that loss was before the team's current on-campus field opened, meaning that NU has never lost a home opener at the new Nebraska Soccer Field.

"The team sets their own standard on how they want to compete, especially on their home field," Walker said. "The mentality to want to protect your home field; you want that established in the very first game."

The Huskers hit the road again for a Sunday afternoon showdown against No. 20 Florida. The Gators, ranked No. 12 at the time, played NU to a 1-1 tie in Lincoln last season, which brought the all-time series score to 1-1-1. UF is a young team, only returning five starters from last year's NCAA tournament team.

The Huskers believe that they can get themselves back on track this weekend,

"Just getting a 'W' on the board is what every team needs to start a good run," Caniglia said. "You have to start with a win."

johnschreier@dailynebraskan.com