Aug 19, 2026

NEB SOC: Huskers host two ranked teams this week

Posted Aug 19, 2026 2:30 PM

Story by NU Athletic Communications

The Nebraska soccer team (1-0-1) will welcome the No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Thursday, Aug. 20 and the No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday, Aug. 23. Thursday’s game is set for 7:05 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Sunday’s match will start at 12:05 p.m. (CT) and be streamed on B1G+. Tickets for both contests are available at huskers.com/tickets. Live stats can be followed here.Last Time OutNebraska tied South Dakota, 1-1, on Sunday, Aug. 16. Freshman Emma Donnelly scored NU’s lone goal in the 83rd minute.Quick Notes

  1. The last time NU hosted a top 10 team was last season, when NU fell, 0-1, to eighth-ranked Iowa.
  2. NU also faced back-to-back ranked opponents last year in No. 8 Penn State and No. 21 Ohio State.
  3. The Huskers’ season-opener win over Louisville to open the season was the first season-opening win over a Power 5 team since 2018.
  4. Nebraska will host 10 regular-season home matches this year, including six home Big Ten contests.
  5. NU grabbed wins over South Dakota State, Creighton, Iowa State and Colorado during the spring. The Big Red also tied with Kansas.
  6. Kayma Carpenter, Ella Guyott and Ella Rudney were all named Big Ten Players to Watch.
  7. The Huskers return 10 letterwinners from last year’s team.
  8. NU will welcome nine newcomers, including seven freshmen and two transfers in goalkeeper Avery Gillahan and forward Nathalie Lewis. Lewis recorded a hat trick during the spring season.
  9. Head Coach John Walker enters his 33rd season, alongside assistant coaches Savanah Anderson-Baer (fourth season), Ian Bridge (11th season) and Austen Parker (first season). Walker has a 379-208-67 record in his career and has coached all 32 seasons in Nebraska soccer history.

Scouting the #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-0-2)

  1. Notre Dame opened the season with ties against No. 23 Penn State and Samford, who received votes in this week’s USCA poll.
  2. The Fighting Irish were No. 2 in the USCA preseason poll after going 15-2-3 last season and appearing in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
  3. Lily Joseph has scored the only two goals for Notre Dame this season. Ellie Hodsden adds an assist.
  4. Head Coach Nate Norman is in his ninth season at the helm of the Fighting Irish. He is 97-44-20 with Notre Dame and 155-79-34 in his career.

Scouting the #18 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0-0)

  1. Alabama is 2-0-0 on the season with wins over Saint Louis and No. 21 Memphis. 
  2. The Crimson Tide went 11-9-2 last season with a 4-6-0 mark in SEC play. They made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 
  3. Larkin Thomason has two goals for Alabama this year, while Avery Brown and Ashley Roni add one score apiece. Melina Rebimas and Paige Thompson have each contributed an assist.
  4. Head Coach Wes Hart is in his 12th season at Alabama and in his career. He has compiled a 120-84-27 record.
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