Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team has its final two home games of the 2012 season when NW Missouri State and Missouri Western State come to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field this weekend.
The Bearcats (7-3-2, 5-1-1) visit Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and then the Griffons (4-7, 2-5) stop by Saturday at noon. Live stats will be available
HERE and a live video stream can be accessed by going to UNK's
America One page.
Northwest is currently fourth in the MIAA and hasn't lost a game since dropping a 3-1 decision NAIA member Graceland (Ia.), 3-1, on September 25th.
Junior forward Victoria Von Mende, a transfer from Iowa Western C.C., is among the league leaders in points (15) and goals (seven). She also leads Northwest in shots with 35.
As a team, the Bearcats rank third in the MIAA in goals (27) as 11 other players besides Von Mende have scored at least once. Defensively, keeper Kelsey Adams has a 1.45 GAA and stopped 73 shots.
Missouri Western ended a four-game losing streak last week by winning in overtime at Emporia State, 2-1. UNK also beat the Hornets in extra time, 3-2, this season.
Through 11 games, the Griffons have scored 10 goals and given up 16. Sophomore Katie Kempf (four) and senior Abby Widrig (three) have scored the most with senior keeper Kelly Voigts having a solid a 1.27 GAA and two shut outs.
This will be the final two games in Kearney for seniors
Sara Chapman (Lincoln Northeast),
Jen Kotulak (Omaha Mercy),
Maggie McClure (Omaha Marian) and
Marissa Niday (Fremont). They made up UNK's first recruiting class back in 2009 and have played an instrumental part in the Lopers fortunes since.
Currently, UNK has scored 20 goals, tying the school mark set last year and in 2010. Eleven different Lopers have recorded at least one goal, led by sophomore
Tara Knowlton and Mckinzie Rieber with three each.
In goal, Niday is sixth in the league in saves (50) while recording two shut outs.
Over the final two weeks of the regular season, UNK plays at Lindenwood, Truman State and Fort Hays State.
