Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior Stephanie Fleig scored a goal in the 80th minute to help 24th-ranked Central Oklahoma slip past Nebraska-Kearney, 1-0, Sunday afternoon in Edmond.

The Bronchos improve to 11-1-1- (6-0-1 MIAA) while the Lopers are now 6-6-1 (1-5-1 MIAA).

UCO came in having out scored its competition by a 28-9 margin. However, UNK was up the the task and had one of the nation's top teams on the ropes.

“We played some of our best soccer of the year," said UNK coach John Maessner.  “It was another great team effort from our players, who battled and fought very hard for 90 minutes against a good, athletic, strong team that has done very well this year.”

Earlier this season, UNK tied then-8th-ranked Central Missouri, 0-0. With senior keeper Marissa Niday (Fremont) making seven saves, the game was scoreless at halftime and for most of the second half.

At the 76:34 mark, Fleig took one of UCO's five corner kicks. While the UNK defense held, and a shot by Fleig was high at 77:09, the forward managed her fifth goal of the year at 79:54 after taking a pass from freshman Caitlin Bond.

UNK ended with five shots and a corner. Sophomore Tara Knowlton (lake St. Louis, Mo.) had two of the shots, one being saved by UCO keeper Meagan Burke.

"We were a little unlucky not to walk away with a better result but we are proud of our performance and will continue to get better with every game. The girls gave every ounce of energy that they had and deserved at least a point. UCO did well to finish their best chance of the game and we weren't able to get one back. We will keep working hard and our focus remains on making the conference tournament."

The Lopers host NW Missouri State Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. and then Missouri Western State visits Saturday at noon. These will be the final two home games of the season.