Box Score Kearney, Neb. – For the second time in program history, the Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer managed to tie a nationally-ranked team as the Lopers and No. 20 Colorado School of Mines ended up 1-1 (2 OT's) Friday night at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.

The Lopers are now 3-5-1 (1-3-1 RMAC) on the year while the Orediggers (7-1-1, 3-1-1 RMAC) go a second straight game without a victory. They fell to No. 13 Metro State, 1-0, last weekend.

Last October, UNK battled then-No. 24 Regis to a scoreless tie in Denver.

Kearney was hoping for it's first-ever win over a Top 25 team after scoring just about two minutes into the second half.

Freshman Shannon Courtney (Millard North), who replaced an injured Becka Talcott in the starting lineup, sent a pass down field to a streaking Ashtin Pawloski (Hastings). The speedy Pawloski flew down the left wing and then sent the ball towards the Mines goal.

With keeper Amy Hegarty coming out to try and get the ball, sophomore Raliegh Mercer (Centennial, Colo.) came in from the right side and knocked the ball into the goal. Mercer now leads the team in goals (four) with Pawloski ranking first in assists (three).

In 120 minutes of action, the teams recorded just six shots a piece. The UNK defense managed, time and time again, to clear the ball out and not let the 'Diggers get a good shot.

With just about four minutes to go, Mines decided to move away from the Loper defense as Anna Evans uncorked a shot from around 30 yards out that managed to slip past keeper Marissa Niday (Fremont).

UNK had a couple of chances to win the game in the second extra session as junior Merydeth Cummings (Papillion) had a shot saved and then senior Morgan Abert (Waupaca, Wisc.) had a direct kick go wide of the net.

The Lopers tough weekend continues as they play at Metro Sunday.