Kearney, Neb. - True freshman forward Becka Talcott scored a goal at the 69 minute mark to propel the Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Wayne State Thursday afternoon in Wayne.

This was the regular season opener for both teams. In August 2009, UNK beat the Wildcats, 2-1, in its first-ever women's soccer game.

One of six newcomers to crack the starting lineup, Talcott (Denver/Cherry Creek H.S.) scored off a corner kick from sophomore midfielder Alicia Crawford (Kearney Catholic H.S.) at the 68:49 mark.

Both Crawford and senior co-captain Talisha Krason (Kearney H.S.) returned to action today after missing most of 2009 due to injury. In five games last fall, Crawford had an assist and a goal.

After Talcott's goal, the Lopers kept the pressure on, forcing Wayne goalie Emily Walker to make two saves down the stretch. On the afternoon, UNK out shot Wayne, 15-5, including a 12-1 mark in the second half.

Sophomore Marissa Niday (Fremont) played the first half in goal and stopped three shots with sophomore Vanessa Leeper (Colorado Springs, Colo.) taking over in the second half and having one save.

Leeper is a two-year member of the Loper basketball team who came out for soccer in the spring. She will continue to play basketball in the winter.

Finally, freshman forward Raliegh Mercer (Centennial, Colo./Arapahoe H.S.) tallied a team-high five shots, including three on goal.

UNK is at Mary (N.D.) on Saturday afternoon