Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney soccer team starts a four-game home stand this Friday night when Missouri Southern State makes an appearance at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.

This is MIAA opening weekend with the game kicking off at 7:00 p.m. It's "Kearney Park & Rec Day"; youth teams will scrimmage at the half and, if they wear their jersey to the game, will receive free admision as well as their parents receiving $ 2.00 off their ticket. Check the Loper schedule page for media and ticket links.

On Sunday, Southwest Baptist stops by at 1:00 p.m.; the first 100 UNK students will receive a free slice of pizza.

UNK (1-3-2) fell to the Lions (2-4-0) last September by a 2-0 score. The Lopers dominated in the box score, taking 11 of the 12 corners and 17 of the 20 shots. However, MSSU tallied goals in the 36th and 77th minutes to win with keeper Beth Hammons making 11 saves.

In 2015, Southern beat Division II newcomer Rogers State (Okla.), 6-1, and Newman (Kans.), 1-0 in 2 OT's, in back-to-back home games. Last weekend, they also were at home, falling to SBU, 5-2, and Northeastern State, 5-1, in non-conference affairs.

Senior Shawnee Phillips is the new keeper and has made 31 saves to have a 2.59 GAA. A balanced offensive attack features sophomore Hannah Bomar (10 shots, two goals) and junior Hannah Cook (four shots, two goals).

The SBU Bearcats, a traditional league power, is off to a 3-3 start under new coach Megan Link. After starting with three straight losses, they've bounced back to beat SW Minnesota State, Mo Southern and Central Oklahoma by a combined 10-5 score. They play Fort Hays State Friday night.

A 2014 NCAA Tournament qualifier, SBU is led by senior Karla Jamison. The two-time All-Central Region selection already has tallied six goals, on 23 shots, to push her career point total to 64.Last season, Jamnson scored twice as SBU beat UNK at home by a 4-2 score.

Sophomore Whitney Snow actually leads in shots (27) with Swedish senior Caroline Karlsson (16 shots, three goals) also a threat. In goal, senior Cheyenne Forshey (2.00 GAA, 16) has a 3-0 record.

UNK could see a new all-time leader in career goals and career points this weekend as Montanna Hosterman (Papillion-LaVista South H.S.) currently has 40 on 17 goals. Her former teammate, Becka Talcott ('13), tallied 42 points on 17 goals.

Besides Hosterman, four other Lopers have two or more points to date, including newcomer Reina Horikawa (Japan) and sophomore Marika Van Brocklin (Hastings). Hosterman leads in shots (14) with Norfolk junior Evie Sintek second (11).

Kearney has three keepers at its disposal with true freshman Ali Hirschman (Millard South H.S.) currently having played the most minutes (489). She has a 1.29 GAA thanks to 29 saves, third most in the MIAA.  

UNK remains at home to face No. 1 ranked Central Missouri next Friday at 1:00 p.m. with Lindewood coming by two days later at the same time.