Kearney, Neb. – The University of Nebraska Kearney soccer team tied New Mexico Highlands, 1-1, Sunday afternoon at Foster Field at Cope Stadium.

UNK is now 6-5-1 and 3-4-1 in conference play while the Cowgirls goe to 6-4-2 and 4-2-2 in the RMAC. In two meetings last season, Highlands beat the Lopers, 1-0, in Kearney and 8-0 in Las Vegas.

This is the second tie game that the Lopers have ever had. In 2009, the team tied RMAC power Regis, 0-0.

UNK scored the first goal of the game at the 40 minute mark when freshman Sara Downey (Scottsbluff) got two shots off.

Downey took a pass from freshman Becka Talcott (Denver, Colo.) and her initial shot hit the post. The ball come right back to her for a second shot and this time she found the back of the net.

The lead was short lived, however, as Highlands tied the game 41 seconds later when Julissa Rodriguez scored from ten yards out off of a give and go pass from Ashley Kramer.

On the day, the Lopers out shot the Cowgirls 23-16.  UNK also have an advantage in corner kicks, 8-6.

Downey and fellow freshman Raliegh Mercer (Centennial, Colo.) led the team in shots with five a piece, followed by junior Morgan Abert (Waupaca, Wisc.) with four shots.

Keepers Marissa Niday (Fremont) had five saves in the first 45 minutes and then Vanessa Leeper (Colorado Springs, Colo.) stopped three shots over the next 65 minutes.

UNK returns to action on Friday night against Colorado School of Mines.