Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team remains on the road this week and starts MIAA play with trips to Southwest Baptist and nationally-ranked Central Missouri.

The Lopers (2-2) visit SBU in Bolivar, Mo., Thursday at 4:00 p.m. and then head up to Warrensburg to face the Jennies Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

Live stats are available for both games … SBU … UCM.

Last year, SBU (2-1-1) went 7-9-3, including a 4-6-2 mark in the MIAA. Picking up a 1-0 win in Kearney helped the 'Cats secure the eighth and final spot in the league tournament as the Lopers also were 4-6-2 in league action.

This fall, Southwest has gone 2-1-1 vs. NSIC schools, tying 2012 NCAA tourney qualifier Minot State, 1-1, at home.

Out shooting the competition 87-57, SBU is led by sophomore midfielder Kate Jamison (three points) and sophomore forward Karla Jamison (four shots). Karla tallied the lone goal in the win over UNK.

In goal, senior Page Hemphill has stopped 22 shots and has a solid 0.71 GAA.

No. 17 Central Missouri is also 2-1-1, falling at 8th-ranked Minnesota State, 3-0. The Jennies have won the past three MIAA titles, going 34-0-2 in that process.

One of those ties came last year in Kearney, a tough 1-1 battle. Sophomore Montanna Hosterman (Papillon) gave UNK a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute, only to see UCM tie it about 50 minutes later on a goal by current senior Becky Lacky.

Both teams then had goals waved off in the extra sessions.

Lackey already has six points (two goals and two assists), as does true freshman Hannah Moran (three goals). A tough defense is paced by sophomore keeper Morgan Hartzler (1.20 GAA & 10 saves).

On the Loper side of the field, Hosterman, senior Becka Talcott (Denver) and junior Tara Knowlton (Lake St. Louis, Mo.) are slowly coming off the disabled list. The trio has accounted for 11 shots and four points in the past two games.

Three others Lopers – sophomores Meaghan Pasbrig (Chandler, Ariz.) and McKinzie Rieber (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and senior Missy Everson (Pasco, Wash.) – have each taken five shots with sophomore keeper Katelin Mielke (Omaha) already having two shut outs to post a 0.84 GAA.

UNK returns home next week to face NAIA foe Hastings (Wednesday) and MIAA-member Missouri Southern State (Sunday).