Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team has its final regular season road games this weekend and they come earlier than normal.

UNK will be at Missouri Southern State Thursday night and Southwest Baptist Saturday afternoon. The unique scheduling comes with SBU's desire not to play on Sunday.

The game at MSSU (3-7-1, 0-5-0) kicks off at 6:00 p.m. with the tilt in Bolivar beginning at high noon. Live stats and live video will be available for the SBU (0-11-0, 0-5-0) game with live stats only on Thursday. Check the Loper schedule page for links.

UPDATE: The match against Nebraska-Kearney that was scheduled for Thursday night at 6 p.m. has been not only moved to Fred G. Hughes Stadium at the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex but it has also been moved back a hour to 7 p.m. 

The Lopers (4-7-1, 1-4-0) are coming off a 1-0 home win over Northwest Missouri State. That victory gives Kearney three points, good for sole possession of 10th place in the standings. Three more points and the Blue & Gold are tied for eighth with Northwest and Lindenwood.

Mo Southern has dropped two in a row but is 2-3 in Joplin this fall. That includes a 2-1 non-conference decision over Central Oklahoma, who is currently tied for first in the MIAA.

Coming off a 2-15-1 campaign, the Lions are currently led by sophomore Bailey North and true freshman Tayler LePage. Both have two goals and an assist to be tied for the team lead in points with five. Also, junior Taylor Beck and true freshman Brianna Smith are tied for the lead in shots with 14 apiece.

Having been outscored 13-9 to date, the Lions have mainly used true freshman Luz Galindo in goal (1.17 GAA, 43 saves & three shutouts).

Last September in Kearney, senior Ashtin Pawloski scored 48 seconds into overtime to help the Lopers post a 2-1 win over MSSU. On the day, UNK out shot the Lions by a 12-4 margin.

Two years ago, SBU went 16-5-1 and reached the NCAA Tournament. Currently, they have lost all 11 games by a combined tally of 33-5. 

A roster with 16 underclassmen includes Swedish senior Elin Hammer (six points) and junior Averi Walker (three points). Keepers Makayla Hussong (2.44 GAA & 19 saves) and Laura Carpenter (3.38 GAA & 33 saves) have split playing time almost equally.

In 2015, UNK scored right before halftime to hand the 'Cats a 1-0 setback. SBU went on to finish with a 9-9-1 record.

The Lopers are 4-10-3 in true road games the last two years. They are looking for their second road sweep since joining the MIAA. Back in 2012, UNK beat Lindenwood and Truman State in late October.

A stingy UNK defense has allowed just 15 goals this season. Keepers Ali Hirschman (Millard South H.S.), Allie Prososki (Kearney Catholic H.S.) and Emily Thuss (Raymore, Mo.) have combined to make 56 saves, record four shutouts and hold two other teams to a single goal.

Offensively, Lincoln sophomore Tori Weber has taken a team-best 13 shots (six on goal) with Norfolk freshman Maddie Love at 12 (five on goal). Nine Lopers have at least two points, led by Omaha freshman Kelsie Ienn.

Next weekend, UCO (8-3-1) and No. 21 Northeastern State (11-1) come to Cope Stadium.