After a rain delay just a few minutes into the MSU women’s soccer match against Nebraska, the Cornhuskers came out to secure a 1-0 win and hand MSU its first loss of the season.
Nebraska freshman Jaycie Johnson gave the Cornhuskers (5-2-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) their first goal from 13 yards out in the 12th minute, which turned out to be the difference maker.
Johnson has been a key component to the Cornhuskers early on this season with six goals, which is among the tops in the Big Ten.
The Spartans (6-1-2, 0-1) only were able to get off six shots in the game — tied for the season low.
In the second half, sophomore forward Allyson Krause had a look at a goal but the shot deflected off Nebraska goalkeeper Emma Stevens.
“We had a little bit of trouble adjusting to the pace of play in the first half,” head coach Tom Saxton said. “The effort was there, but the execution wasn’t.”
In her first start since returning from injury, junior goalkeeper Courtney Clem suffered the loss after giving up an early goal. In a game against New Mexico two weeks ago, Clem was knocked out of the game after being kicked in the head. She sat out the remainder of the New Mexico game, and sophomore goalkeeper Gabrielle Gauruder filled the net in her absence, picking up three consecutive wins.
The Spartans will return home next weekend for their Big Ten home opening games against Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Saxton said after practice Tuesday he expects to be back at full strength injury-wise by next week.
During the season’s first weekend against Buffalo and Milwaukee, junior midfielder/forward Lisa Vogel and junior forward Paige Wester both were sidelined with knee injuries and have been out since.
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