Caroline Smith scored a record-setting 19 goals for Kansas University’s soccer team last season.

Yet Smith has only three goals this fall. Is KU coach Mark Francis worried? Not at all.

“A lot of teams are keying on Caroline, and that means other people are open,” Francis said. “It’s good for the team she’s getting so much attention.”

Kansas certainly hasn’t suffered from Smith’s lower goal production. The Jayhawks have won eight of their nine matches and are ranked No. 8 nationally going into their Big 12 Conference openers this weekend.

KU will meet perennial power Nebraska at 5 p.m. today at Jayhawk Soccer Complex, then play host to defending league champ Colorado at 1 p.m. Sunday.

“Your first conference game is always important,” Francis said, “and playing Nebraska, a team with such a history of success, it’s nice to have them at home.”

The Cornhuskers began the season ranked No. 25, but have lost three of their nine matches — to Stanford, North Carolina and Pacific.

“They haven’t lost to anybody they shouldn’t have lost to,” Francis said. “I’ve watched them on tape and they’re good. They’re very good.”

Nebraska holds an 8-1-1 edge in the series. The Jayhawks defeated the Huskers for the first time last October, winning 1-0 in Lincoln, Neb., on a late Smith goal.

“It could have gone either way,” Francis said about last year’s clash. “I don’t expect it to be any different this time.”

Smith, Rachel Gilfillan and Nicole Cauzillo lead KU with three goals apiece. Smith and Cauzillo, a transfer from West Virginia, also have two assists apiece. Gilfillan has one.

With the Jayhawks featuring such a balanced attack, the spotlight has fallen on senior Meghan Miller, who leads the Big 12 in every goalkeeping category — goals against average (0.22), saves (44), save percentage (.957) and shutouts (7).

However, Francis is quick to point out that starting defenders Holly Gault, Stacy Leeper, Nikki Alvarez and freshman Afton Sauer deserve some of the credit.

“All of them are playing extremely well,” Francis said. “They do a real good job of communicating.”

KU’s lone loss was a 1-0 decision Sept. 14 at Illinois. The only other team to score on the Jayhawks has been Clemson. KU topped the Tigers, 3-1.