Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team finishes up the regular season Friday night at Fort Hays State with a lot riding on the line.

The game kicks off at 6:00 p.m. Live stats are available HERE.

The Lopers (9-6-2, 4-5-2) are currently tied with Southwest Baptist (7-8-2, 4-5-2) and Missouri Southern State (4-8-3, 4-4-2) for seventh place in the league standings. Each club has 14 points (three points for a conference win and one for a conference tie). 

The SBU Bearcats joined UNK and MSSU thanks to a 4-0 home win over Lindenwood on Thursday. Eight teams qualify for next week's MIAA Tournament, which starts Tuesday with four first round games.

All three of these clubs have an eye on 10th-place Washburn (12 points) as the Lady Blues are currently 4-6 but have two home games -- vs. Central Oklahoma (13-1-3, 9-0-2) and Northeastern State (10-4-1, 5-4-1) -- this weekend.

SW Baptist hosts Truman State (11-5-1, 7-4-0) on Saturday while MSSU is at Missouri Western State (5-9-3, 3-7-1) Friday and NW Missouri State (8-5-3, 6-3-2) Sunday.

To make the postseason for the first time in school history, UNK will have to beat a Tigers (9-6-1, 5-5-1) squad that is 7-1-1 at home this fall. The setback came to Central Missouri, 1-0, and the tie to Missouri Western, 2-2.

Coming off a surprising 2-1 loss at Lindenwood on Sunday, Hays has a balanced offense that features four players with 10 or more points. True freshman Jordan Hester is the leader of this group (18 points; seven goals) with senior Cindy Benitez ranking first in shots (53).

The Tigers, who've out scored their competition 29-9, feature two keepers in Australian sophomore Nicole Barnaba (5-2-1, 0.73 GAA) and true freshman Rachael Schaad (4-4-0, 1.10 GAA).

UNK, a solid 4-4 in true road games, is 3-0-1 in its last four contests to get into the playoff picture. During this stretch, the Lopers have out scored its opponents by a 7-4 margin.

Two players who recently came off the disabled list have helped the Kearney offense as freshman Montanna Hosterman (11) and junior Becka Talcott (nine) now rank first and third, respectively, in points.

Defensively, senior Marissa Niday has a 1.52 GAA with 62 saves. She shut out Truman State on Sunday, her third such effort this season.

To keep up on MIAA soccer this weekend, visit themiaa.com