April 14, 2007

LINCOLN, Neb. -

Midfielders Nicole Cauzillo and Jessica Bush tallied first-half goals, while goalkeeper Colleen Quinn made seven saves as the University of Kansas toppled Nebraska, 2-1 in an exhibition soccer match played Saturday at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

"I thought we played very well tonight," KU head coach Mark Francis said. "The kids brought a lot of intensity. It felt a lot like a regular season Big 12 match."

Much like in the teams' regular season match up last year, the Jayhawks grabbed an early lead on a corner kick. Cauzillo, who scored twice in an exhibition game earlier this spring, headed in a Monica Dolinsky corner at 6:21.

After the Huskers tied the score in the 22^nd minute, Jessica Bush found the back of the net for the game-winner. Bush, KU's leading goal-scorer last season, blasted a 30-foot shot past the keeper at 32:12.

The Jayhawk defense did the rest, holding the Huskers scoreless over the final 68 minutes of the match and to just seven shots in the second half. Quinn made seven saves to earn the victory in net.

"I'm very happy with the progress we've made in the last six weeks of our spring season," Francis said. "In the beginning, I think we were a little rusty, but that's going to happen when you haven't played for a while. I think we've improved both individually and collectively, and I'm excited for the fall."

The Jayhawks will wrap up the spring season with a home match against Division II power Nebraska-Omaha next Sunday at 1 p.m.