Story by NU Athletic Communications
Sarah Weber netted three goals, good for the 35th hat trick in program history and first since 2018, as the sixth-ranked Nebraska soccer team defeated Colorado State 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Hibner Stadium in front of 1,336 fans.
Weber’s hat trick marked her first, second and third goals of the season and improved her career mark to 35 finishes, which ties her for 10th in Husker history. Florence Belzile, who finished the 2023 season ranked second nationally with 17 assists, tallied a pair of dishes along with Jordan Zade who recorded her 17th and 18th career assists. Grad transfer Gracie English rounded out the group with an assist of her own, good for the first point of her Husker career.
With the win, Nebraska improves to 1-1-0 on the season, while Colorado State suffers its first loss of the year (0-1-0).
To get the scoring started, Zade sent a throw to Belzile, who dribbled and dished to Weber, gathering and scoring into the back left corner of the net in the 14th minute. Less than 10 minutes later, the Huskers stretched the lead to 2-0, as Belzile sent a pass into the 18, which was intercepted by the goalie, before Weber gathered and shot for the finish. Colorado State outshot the Huskers 9-6 in the first half but were unable to capitalize, and Nebraska held the score advantage at half.
In the second half, Colorado State evened the game with goals by Mia Massey and Maggie Altman in the 63rd and 70th minute before Weber recorded the hat trick. In the 71st minute, Zade got the play started as she dribbled across midfield and passed to English. The Belleville, Ill., native then sent a cross to Weber who netted the goal.
Cece Villa started for the Huskers in goal, as she tallied the win and played the complete game along with Lauryn Anglim and Zade.
The Huskers continue their five-game homestand on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7:05 p.m. (CT). Action will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.