Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team welcomes in two of the top programs in the MIAA this weekend when Northeastern State visits Friday and Central Oklahoma stops by Sunday.

In the preseason poll, UCO was picked second and NSU third. Last fall, these clubs were a combined 29-8-4 (16-4-4).

As usual, live stats and an America One broadcast will be available for both games.

The RiverHawks (8-2-0, 2-2-0), from Tahlequah, have won three in a row after falling in double OT, 2-1, at Lindenwood. Their other loss came at Missouri Southern State, 2-0.

Senior forward Jennifer Clark (16) and senior Elizabeth Cudjoe (12), from Ghana, are two of the MIAA leading scorers as Clark has a league-best seven goals with Cudjoe tallying five goals with two assists.

Northeastern isn't a slouch on defense either, posting an MIAA-best 0.67 GAA. Keeper Jordan Woodruff, a true freshman from Long Island, N.Y., has recorded 41 saves, four shut outs and is a big reason why NSU has been so stingy. 

In 2012, NSU recorded a 3-1 win over the Lopers with Clark scoring in the fourth minute to give the 'Hawks the lead for good.

Coming off a 16-3-3- (9-0-3) season, UCO has bounced back from a 1-3 start heading into a Friday night game at Fort Hays State.

Having to replace four of its top five scorers, the Bronchos (5-5-1, 2-2-1) are currently led by junior forwards Sarah Purcell (16 points; five goals) and Emily Hahn (11 points).

Despite all the graduation losses, UCO is second in the MIAA in scoring (5.27 ppg) and goals scored (20). Defensively, two players have been in goal, the busiest being junior Brandi Bartley (1.26 GAA with 40 saves).

Last year in Edmond, UCO scored in the 79th minute to beat UNK, 1-0.

The Lopers, after a solid 1-0-1 conference road trip last week, hope to continue its solid play at home. UNK is 3-1 at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field with the only setback coming to unbeaten SW Minnesota State.

Since the program began in 2009, the most wins Kearney has achieved in a season at home is four.

Keeper Katelin Mielke and the rest of the Loper defense hopes another trend continues as well. UNK shut out both Emporia State and Washburn last week, giving the team five on the year.

Last fall, UNK shut out three straight opponents (Midland, Abilene Christian and NW Oklahoma State) to set the school mark. That club tied the 2010 Lopers for most shut outs in a season (five).

UNK hosts Doane College next Wednesday, October 16th, and then travels to NW Missouri State and Missouri Western State.