Nebraska soccer players celebrate a goal against UC Irvine in the NCAA Tournament third round (Nov. 19, 2023) — Nebraska Athletics photo

Nebraska Soccer Blanks UC Irvine 4-0 in Sweet 16

Huskers are into the NCAA Quarterfinals for first time since 1999

Author:
Kaleb Henry
Publish date:
Nov 19, 2023 5:12 PM EST

For the third time in program history, Nebraska soccer is headed to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.

The Huskers (17-3-3) shutout UC Irvine 4-0 Sunday afternoon. The win puts Nebraska into the Elite Eight. NU has only reached this round twice before: 1996, 1999.

Nebraska grabbed a trio of goals in the first half, beginning with Abby Schwarz poking a left footer into the bottom corner in the 14th minute. In the 30th minute, the nation's leading goal scorer Eleanor Dale grabbed a goal off of Schwarz's corner. Haley Peterson also scored on a corner kick, this one coming from Lauryn Anglim in the 41st minute.

The Anteaters were never able to threaten with a comeback in the second half. Dale capped the victory with a free kick goal in the 87th minute.

Nebraska, the five seed, will take on the winner of Stanford (1) and Mississippi State (6) Friday or Saturday. A Mississippi State victory would put that match in Lincoln.