The Nebraska Huskers sure know how to steal the spotlight, no matter the sport. This team has been in the spotlight on many occasions, whether it is a volleyball battle or a soccer victory. Speaking of soccer, their 2024 season wrapped up with a bang back in October, and Hibner Stadium was buzzing with energy as the Huskers faced off against Indiana. In the last game, Senior Sarah Weber came out strong, scoring twice in a 3-1 game to end her collegiate soccer career. Her first goal in the 39th minute was a beauty, slicing through Indiana’s defense and finding the top right corner of the net for her team-leading 10th goal of the year.

Though Indiana fought back with a quick response, Weber wasn’t done yet. Her second goal of the match—and her seventh career multi-goal performance—sealed the deal, earning her a well-deserved spot in the record books as seventh all-time in Husker history. While the players shined on the field, let’s not forget the masterminds behind their success. With a legacy spanning 28 incredible years, Nebraska Huskers are now bidding farewell to a legendary coach who helped guide players to NCAA glory and even World Cup dreams.

Nebraska Soccer turned to X on January 20 to drop some bittersweet news that’s tugging at the heartstrings of Husker Nation. The team proudly announced, “After 28 seasons with Nebraska Soocer, Assistant Coach Marty Everding has announced his retirement. Marty’s dedication and passion have defined an era of excellence for our program. Thank you, Marty, for everything. Wishing you a well-deserved and happy retirement!”

But that’s not all—Abby Barmore, Nebraska staff writer for @HuskerOnline and @On3Sports, chimed in with her own heartfelt nod, sharing, “Nebraska soccer assistant coach Marty Everding is retiring after 28 seasons with the Huskers. He was at Nebraska from 1994-2006 and then returned in 2010” After nearly three decades of shaping champions and pouring his heart into Husker soccer, Marty’s stepping away, leaving behind a legacy of game-changing moments. 

When it comes to shaping greatness, Marty Everding didn’t just help build the Nebraska Huskers program—he helped build legacies. As the man credited with being the brains behind the team’s goalkeeping prowess, Marty has touched some of the biggest talents ever to grace the Big 12 Conference. And, oh boy, did one player truly shine under his guidance! In 2000, Karina LeBlanc came onto the field and made hearts roll on the floored, as she has the best 0.40 goals against average in the Big 12 and the second-best in the country. That was just a warmup for what was to come.

LeBlanc continued with a similar performance as the starting goalkeeper of the Canadian National Team and the WUSA’s Boston Breakers. She followed in the footsteps of All-American Rebecca Hornbacher, the Huskers’ goalie in ’96 and ’97, who also rocked the Boston Breakers jersey and later passed on her wisdom as a collegiate goalkeeping coach.

And let’s not forget LeBlanc’s epic FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances across five tournaments—spanning from 1999 to 2015. But here’s the kicker: there are more achievements for this coach!

Nebraska Huskers and Marty Everding

Marty Everding started his 27th year at the University of Nebraska in the fall of 2024, carrying on the tradition of turning around the soccer program at Nebraska. He was part of the team between 1994 and 2006, and in 2010, he worked for the team as an Interim assistant before being hired permanently.

He has left an indelible mark, one that has seen the program move from a regional one to a national one, thanks to the players that he has produced such as Aubrei Corder who set a record of 11 shutouts in her freshman year and a Big Ten honor.

Everding’s magic didn’t stop with Corder. He played a key role in shaping Nebraska’s all-time saves leader, Emma Stevens, and helped Erin Miller transition from defender to an all-conference goalkeeper. This has always been one of the strong points of his career–to identify potential and develop it.

Apart from goalkeepers, Everding had to work with players such as Brooke Bredenberg, Katie Wright, and Jamie Klages. Before the coaching career at Nebraska Huskers, he played and coached at Queen’s University, building the foundation to leave a lasting imprint on Husker soccer.