The Texas soccer team closes out its conference road schedule this weekend when it travels to Nebraska and Colorado. Texas has a 7-4 season record and is 3-2 in Big 12 action.
The Longhorns are still surging from two important wins in Austin last weekend. The Longhorns put themselves right back into the chase for the conference crown after pulling out wins over Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. With only five league games left, this weekend's matches could make or break Texas' shot at a title.
"Both teams are very good, so we'll really have to prepare," Texas forward Kelly McDonald said. "But two wins this weekend will help our confidence."
The Longhorns continued to spread the ball around in its last two matches. Four different players scored goals, including Amy Burlingham, who notched her first career game-winning goal against Oklahoma State. Senior Kelly Wilson also scored a goal and dished out a pair of assists, placing her 18th in the nation in scoring with 24 points.
Texas goal keeper Dana Hall collected the team's second Big 12 honor of the season. She earned the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week accolade after posting two victories and eight saves in her last two starts. Hall needs to perform well again this weekend as she faces the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, Brittany Timko.
Although Nebraska leads the overall series 7-4, the Longhorns have won three of the last four contests, including a double-overtime win in Austin last year. Nebraska, traditionally one of the best teams in the conference, are 4-2 at home but remain undefeated in Big 12 competition at 3-0.
If Texas hopes to escape Lincoln with a victory, the defense needs to put the clamps on Timko. During Nebraska's current six-game winning streak, the sophomore forward recorded nine goals and six assists. Timko's 12 goals lead the nation, and her 10 assists rank second in the Big 12 and eighth in the nation.
In order to counteract the attacking offense of Nebraska, Texas head coach Chris Petrucelli will likely use a 3-3-4 set. The fourth defender should help the Longhorns limit the number of quality shots taken by the Huskers. Texas started two contests with this set so far and has a 1-1 record during those games.
Colorado entered into the 2004 season as the reigning Big 12 season champions. The Buffaloes have an 8-3-1 overall record - 4-0 at home - but have a 1-2 conference mark. Texas holds an overall advantage in the series, 8-1. "[Nebraska and Colorado] are going to be two hard fought games," Petrucelli said. "Going on the road in conference has proven to be very difficult this season, so we will need to be ready."
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