LINCOLN, Neb. – Second-seeded Nebraska advanced to the round of 32 with a historic four-goal performance from freshman Jaycie Johnson on Friday as the Huskers defeated Southeastern Louisiana 4-0 at the Nebraska Soccer Field.
A native of Winnebago, Mo., Johnson is the fifth player in NCAA Tournament history to score four goals in a tournament match and the first freshman to accomplish the feat. She becomes the first NU player to notch four goals in an NCAA Tournament match and the just the fourth Husker to record four scores in a match.
Johnson, a second-team All-Big 10 honoree, finished with career highs in goals (four), shots (nine) and shots on goal (seven) as she worked 59 minutes in Nebraska's first NCAA tournament match since 2005. Johnson's 17 goals this season are tied for second best in Nebraska history among freshman. It marks the 32nd hat trick under head coach John Walker in the program's 20-year history.
The Scarlet and Cream took little time producing on offense as senior midfielder Jordan Jackson connected with Johnson on a one-two play from the right side of the box as NU's leading goal scorer put it over the keeper from close range. Jackson's assist was her 100th career point as NU took a 1-0 edge just 3:45 into the match.
Johnson struck once again in the 24th minute as the forward dribbled through four defenders from 35 yards into the box after a pass from Mayme Conroy. She finished it off from six out to the bottom left corner for the 2-0 lead.
In the 52nd minute, Jaycie Johnson registered the third NCAA tournament hat trick in Nebraska history off a corner from Sam Areman on a bouncing cross to the far post. Just four minutes later, Johnson added to her strong performance by heading home a crossing pass from Jackson to the far post for her fourth goal of the match.
The 10th-ranked Huskers (19-3-1) are riding the fifth-best win streak in school history at 10 games and have won 17 of their last 18 matches for the first time since 2000. The 19 victories, fourth most in program history, are NU’s most since 2000, while scores in 19 consecutive matches are the most since that same season.
The Huskers are 16-10 all-time in their 11th trip to the NCAA tournament and have never lost in the first round. Nebraska has an 11-5-1 home record in the NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet and Cream are 15-0-1 when scoring two or more goals this season and 13-0-1 both when scoring first and when leading at the half.
Nebraska picked up its eighth shutout of the year behind a solid performance from both the offensive and defense units. Senior goalkeeper Emma Stevens earned her fifth clean sheet of the year, stopping three shots, while the offense produced a season-high 35 attempts, with 17 on target. SLU's keeper Hope Sabadash was impressive, despite allowing four scores, making 13 saves.
Senior defender Ari Romero once again played the entire match on the back line for NU, extending her streak to 14 contests where she worked every second. Freshman Sydney Miramontez registered a career-high six shot attempts, including two on goal. Jackson also recorded six shot attempts, while putting four on target on her way to posting two assists.
The Huskers move on to face the winner of Northeastern and Boston College. NU’s second-round contest will take place on Nov. 22 at a time and location to be announced on Sunday. Nebraska looks to notch its seventh round of 16 appearance with a victory next Friday.
