An assistant soccer coach for the University of Nebraska was killed Saturday morning during a crash on Interstate 80 in western Iowa. 31-year old Peter John Underwood, of Lincoln, NE., was reportedly traveling on a recruiting trip, when the eastbound car he was in was struck by a pickup truck traveling in the wrong direction on I-80, near the Marne exit. Underwood died at the scene. The crash happened at around 7-a.m.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, 49-year old Paul William Marshall, of Modale, was  driving the 2009 Dodge pickup that struck the 2009 Pontiac Vibe Underwood was in, head-on. Marshall was transported by Medivac ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, and later flown by helicopter to a hospital in Omaha. The accident remains under investigation.

University officials said Underwood had just completed his fourth season with the Nebraska women’s soccer program, serving the last two as a full-time coach and the previous two as a volunteer assistant. He is survived by his wife, Austin, and their two young children, daughter, Lyla, and son, Jude.

A statement issued by Huskers Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst, said “The University of Nebraska Athletics family is deeply saddened by the loss of Peter Underwood and our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to his wife, Austin, their children, Lyla and Jude, and his extended family and friends.” Eichorst said also,”Peter was a beacon of positive light, a wonderfully talented coach, and an even better family man of great character and faith. He will be missed by all of us.”

Underwood helped the Huskers to the Big Ten Conference regular-season and tournament titles in 2013, as Nebraska posted a 19-4-1 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. A native of London, England, Underwood moved to the United States and played one season of varsity soccer at Concord before the program was dropped.

Services are pending. Condolences can be sent to: Underwood Family, P.O. Box 880120, One Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE 68588-0120.