Oct. 18, 2007
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Following a weekend in which Baylor came within feet of tying then-No. 1 Texas, the women's soccer team prepares to return to action on the road, traveling north to face Nebraska and Iowa State on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Baylor (6-7-2; 0-5-1 Big 12) is riding a five-game losing streak and a six-game winless streak since Big 12 Conference action began on Sept. 28, but has continued to battle, not allowing opponents to look past the feisty Bears.
The last time the Bears took the field, Baylor held then-top-ranked Texas to just one goal. The Longhorns capitalized on their second of eight corner kicks in the contest when Kasey Moore headed a Courtney Gaines corner past Baylor goalkeeper Gianna Quintana. Quintana was able to get her left hand on the ball but it was not enough as the ball slipped past her and into the top-left corner of the net.
"We have to play the kind of soccer we know we're capable of playing," said head coach George Van Linder. "Our team stuck with Texas for most of the match on Saturday and now we have to go on the road and play two teams that are fighting for the same thing we are. Our girls know that if they want to keep playing this season then we have to stay focused and get a couple wins this weekend."
Baylor returns to action on Friday as they travel to Lincoln, Neb., to face Nebraska (5-6-4; 1-4-0 Big 12). The Bears have struggled against the Cornhuskers in the past, posting a 3-12 all time record against the Big Red. Baylor is traveling to Nebraska for the second consecutive season; last year the Bears dropped an overtime affair to the `Huskers, 2-1. The loss was Baylor's second consecutive to Nebraska, as the Bears have not won against UNL since Oct. 17, 2004.
On Sunday, the Bears cross the border to Iowa where they will face the Iowa State Cyclones (6-4-3; 2-2-1 Big 12). In 12 meetings, the Bears hold an 8-3-1 all-time record, and have never lost a game in regulation to Iowa State on the road.
The Bears will welcome back the services of senior All-American goalkeeper Ashley Noah, who was held out of last weekend's matches with a sore hamstring.
"The extra time off allowed Ashley to fully regain her strength and we're excited to have her back in goal," Van Linder said. "She was disappointed she didn't get to play last weekend and we know she's going to come out with a little extra fire that will hopefully translate into two great games and a pair of wins for us."
Friday's contest against Nebraska is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. while Sunday's match is slated to kick off at 1:00 p.m.
Scouting Nebraska:
The Cornhuskers are 4-1-2 at home this season and are returning home after losing to Texas Tech on Oct. 14. Nebraska earned its lone Big 12 win in its conference-opener against Colorado on Oct. 5; since then, the `Huskers have dropped four league matches and have been out-scored 9-2 during those four losses. Nebraska played Lamar as part of a two-game road trip last weekend, earning a 4-0 victory.
Scouting Iowa State:
Iowa State is in a bit of its own slump, losing its last three contests including back-to-back Big 12 losses to Colorado and Texas Tech. The Cyclones last played on Oct. 14 when they lost to Western Illinois, 2-0, of The Summit League. Iowa State has played some very credible contests this season, shutting out then-No. 16 Oklahoma State, 3-0, in its Big 12 opener, and battling then-No. 3 Texas to a 1-1 draw. The Cyclones opened Big 12 play with a 2-0-1 record, but has been held without a conference win since.
