#2 Nebraska / #3 Portland Region 2nd and 3rd Round Game Beakdowns
#2 Nebraska vs. Boston College
Nebraska advanced to the Round of 32 with a historic four-goal performance from freshman Jaycie Johnson on Friday as the Huskers defeated Southeastern Louisiana 4-0. Johnson is the fifth player in NCAA Tournament history to score four goals in a tournament match and the first freshman to accomplish the feat. She becomes the first NU player to notch four goals in an NCAA Tournament match and the just the fourth Husker to record four scores in a match. Nebraska will be looking to make its ninth Sweet 16 appearance as it hosts the second and third rounds this weekend. Sophomores McKenzie Meehan and Lauren Bernardeach scored as the Boston College women’s soccer team defeated Northeastern 2-0 on Friday night at the Newton Soccer Field. The Eagles improved to 11-9-1 on the year and are now 9-0-1 against the Huskies since 1998.
Illinois and Washington State ended double overtime in a scoreless 0-0 tie, but the Illini edged the Cougars 3-1 in penalty kicks and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Freshman goalkeeper Claire Wheatley made a career-high 11 saves in regulation and two more during the shootout, and senior Vanessa DiBernardo sent the Illini to the next round with the clinching penalty kick. Illinois reached the NCAA Tournament second round for the third year in a row and second-straight time via penalty kicks, as they did so at Missouri last season. It marked the ninth time in 12 appearances that UI has advanced to the second round. Freshman Danica Evans scored the game-winner, senior Amanda Frisbie added an insurance goal and the Portland the defense recorded the shutout as the Pilots defeated Seattle 2-0 in an NCAA First Round game played on Saturday night. It's the ninth shutout on the year for the Pilots (17-2-1), who advance past the first round of the NCAA playoffs for the 14th consecutive year. The Portland defense held SU to just one shot for most of the night before the Redhawks were able to attempt two more after falling behind. It's the 17th career shutout for senior goalkeeper Erin Dees, who made one save on the night to help end SU's 15-match winning streak.
If the two seeded teams were to advance, it would be the fifth time they have met in the postseason. Portland is 4-0 against the Huskers in NCAA Tournament play. The Pilots hold a 7-1 record against the higher seeded team. Portland holds a 1-0 advantage over Illinois, having defeated the Illini in 2009 and has not faced BC. Nebraska is 0-5 against their new conference foes Illinois and 1-0 against BC, a match that happened to be an NCAA Tournament match. Illinois and Boston College have never played.
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