Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team starts MIAA play this weekend at home riding a wave of momentum.

Not only have the Lopers (4-1) won a school-record four in a row but UNK has also shut out its opponent the last 2 1/2 games.

The Southwest Baptist Bearcats, from Bolivar, Mo., will try and get on the scoreboard Friday night when they come to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field at 7:00 p.m.

On Sunday, MIAA defending champ Central Missouri visits at 1:00 p.m. Fans can follow the action with live stats. Fans can also watch the games, for a price, via America One.

SBU (3-2), posting a 4-12-2  mark in 2011, has already been to Iowa and North Dakota for non-conference games. They are riding a two-game winning streak after beating Mary (N.D.), 2-0, and Division II provisional member Southern Nazarene (Okla.), 2-1.

Freshman Karla Jamison leads the 'Cats in shots (13), points (four) and goals (two) with three others at three points a piece. In goal, senior Megan Link has played all 450 minutes and has stopped 22 shots with a 0.80 GAA.

The eighth-ranked UCM Jennies (3-0-1) beat the Lopers, 3-1, last year in Kearney. The contest was knotted at one until the 26th minute and then UCM added an insurance goal with less than two minutes left.

This Central Missouri squad, MIAA preseason favorites, opened up with impressive wins over NSIC powers Winona State, 4-2,  and Minnesota State, 2-1, and has shut out its last two opponents. However, UCM failed to score against Minot State (N.D.) so that ended in a scoreless tie.

Junior Becky Lackey already has seven points (three goals and one assist) with three others having scored a goal. The keepers are freshman Morgan Hartzler (2-0-0, 0.87 GAA, nine saves) and senior Jessica Grindstaff (1-0-1, 0.52 GAA, five saves).

On the Kearney side of the field, the Lopers have already tallied 13 goals, 12 coming from either sophomores or freshmen. Many of these goals have coming off corners kicks, an area where the the Lopers currently have a 40-19 advantage.

In goal, senior Marissa Niday (Fremont) has recorded 14 saves and has a 1.18 GAA.

Next wee, UNK is at the College of St. Mary in Omaha on Friday evening (5:00 p.m.) and then returns to Joplin, Mo., for a tilt with Missouri Southern State Sunday afternoon (1:00 p.m.).