Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Fort Hays State women's soccer team scored two goals in the first half and added three more in the second half to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 5-1, Friday night in Kansas.
 
The Tigers improve to 10-6-1 (6-5-1) with eight of those wins coming at home. The regular season finale for both teams, UNK drops to 9-7-2 (4-6-2).
 
The eight-team MIAA Tournament field will be announced later this weekend.  UNK could tie both Missouri Southern State and Southwest Baptist for seventh place (4-6-2) depending on what those teams do over the next three days. However, the Lopers lost to both Southern
and SBU earlier this fall.
 
In Hays, both teams scored goals in the first 10 minutes. Sophomore Ashtin Pawloski (Hastings) recorded her third goal of the year when she found the back of the Tigers net at the 8:32 mark.
 
Late in the first half, freshman Alexis Aiman sent a crossing pass that freshman Kylee Loneker put in for her third goal of the ball.  Hays then got goals by three different players in the second half.

"A very disappointing result for us tonight knowing we were so close to making the MIAA post season. However, we're very proud of our girls for a wonderful season.  We have said all season what a great group this is to work with. They gave everything they had each and every day and did everything they were asked," said UNK head coach John Maessner.
 
Junior Missy Everson (Pasco, Wash.) led Kearney in shots with four while Pawloski and junior Becka Talcott (Denver, Colo.) each took two. In goal, senior keeper Marissa Niday (Fremont) stopped two shots.
 
Niday, the school record holder in career minutes played with 5,718, was one of four seniors on this year's squad. The others are Sara Chapman (Lincoln NE), Jen Kotulak (Omaha Mercy) and Maggie McClure (Omaha Marian).

This foursome was in the first recruiting class for Loper soccer  and each played in the program's first-ever victory, a 2-1 home decision over Wayne State in August 2009.

"This is a talented group that will be even better next year.  I have enjoyed my time with this year's team and staff and I hope to be able to continue moving this program in the right direction," said Maessner. " We congratulate our seniors, who have been with the program since its inception and we thank them for their dedication and commitment to building a solid foundation for UNK Soccer."

Maessner continued,  "I'd also like to thank our assistant coaches, Kim Troudt and Dallan Caldwell, and our trainers, Kiley Stavnes and Kira Fleck, for all their hard work this season."