University of Louisville
NEBRASKA (Exhibition)
Huskers Top Cards in Jenna Cooper Memorial Match
August 14, 2005 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 14, 2005
LOUISVILLE, KY - Nebraska picked up two quick first half goals off the foot of Nikki Baker en route to a 3-0 exhibition game win over the University of Louisville in the Second Annual Jenna Cooper Memorial Match Sunday.
Despite the outcome, Cardinal Head Coach Karen Ferguson was pleased.
"To play a game this early against an opponent of this caliber, I am very happy with our effort today," Ferguson said.
Baker found the back of the net at 3:54 off a corner kick. The cross from Brittany Timko was headed to Baker by Jessie Bruch.
Baker then finished a perfect cross from Timko just 15 seconds later to make it 2-0 Huskers.
Nebraska captain Katie Bunker notched the final goal of the match in the 43rd minute on a deflection off a corner.
Louisville's best scoring opportunity came off the foot of sophomore Jen Avila in the 71st minute when her shot, targeted for the far corner, was nabbed by keeper Katie Wright.
Ferguson was especially happy with the play of three true freshmen who saw their first NCAA game action.
"The three freshmen, Jessica Mello, Mallory Lampson and Shannon Smyth, made such an impact on the game in their first time out."
The Cards started seven underclassmen against the Huskers, including Smyth and Mello.
"It's just exciting for me, to be around this whole new family," Smyth noted.
"It's an honor just to be on the field with my teammates as we make the jump into the BIG EAST," added Smyth.
In a pregame ceremony, both teams presented the Copper family with a gift. Jenna Cooper, a Louisville native who played at Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville and at Nebraska, was fatally shot in Lincoln on April 25th, 2004. As a junior she earned All-Big 12 accolades prior to her tragic death.
US National team members Kate Markgraf and Kristine Lilly, who spoke at the U of L Kickoff Banquet on Saturday, also presented the family with a gift and officially opened the game and the season with a ceremonial kickoff.
The Cardinals will play a second exhibition match on Thursday when they host intrastate rival Kentucky in Cardinal Park at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Louisville will open the regular season, its first in the BIG EAST, on August 26th at 7:00 p.m. against Butler at Cardinal Park, where admission is free.
