Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore Tori Weber scored in the 97th minute to help Nebraska-Kearney upset Central Oklahoma in overtime, 1-0, Friday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

The Lopers are 3-0-1 over its last four games to currently be in sole possession of eighth place in the MIAA standings. The rest of Friday's conference slate will be played later today. 

UNK (6-7-2, 3-4-1) has now taken two of the last three meetings with the Bronchos (10-4-1, 6-2-0). UCO came in tied for first place in the MIAA and also was ranked fourth in the inaugural NCAA Central Region rankings.

"I'm proud of them because when we play top teams, we rise to the occasion and play our best. That's a sign of a very good team," said UNK head coach John Maessner. "We keep building and getting better. It's a great thing to win a game like this at the end of the year."

Prior to today, UNK had five ties and one win in its last nine extra session games. The Lopers earned their first OT win since last September when Weber (Lincoln S.E.) banged home a loose ball from 12 yards out. Standing free in front of the UCO goal, she gained possession after a kick from the right wing ricocheted off several players.

"So nice for Tori to get another goal. She had a big one to beat Augustana (earlier this year). She is one of our better players; very skill full and has a high soccer IQ," said Maessner. "That's what we expect out of her; to finish like that in a big game."

While UCO controlled the early action, both teams had four shots by the break. Loper redshirt freshman keeper Allie Prososki (Kearney Catholic H.S.) made a diving save in the 24th minute with her counterpart, sophomore Ally Sallas, stopping shots by Colorado sophomore Shannon Duff and Norfolk freshman Maddie Love later in the half.

The 'Chos took eight shots in the second half with Prososki's last save coming in the 82nd minute. She then stopped shots in the 91st and 93 minutes for her sixth shutout of the fall, a new school record. Katelin Mielke had 5.2 shutouts back in 2013; that Loper team had 8.0 overall. UNK currently has seven to date. 

"They had us on our heels for the first 20 minutes of the match. We came out slow and a little sluggish and then we got our legs," said Maessner. "After that, it was really even. We went back and forth and competed for every ball."

During its four-game unbeaten streak, UNK hasn't been scored upon (387 total minutes). That is a new school record, as are the four straight shut outs. Among the Loper stalwarts are freshman Molly Willis (Kearney H.S.) and sophomores Kelsie Ienn (Papillion-LaVista H.S.) and Sami Stock (Millard South H.S.).

"UCO has a very good front three; maybe the best front in the conference. Their active, skill full and fast but we dealt with them. They attacked us well but we stuck together and fought hard," said Maessner.

Offensively, Love had two of Kearney's seven shots with Omaha freshman Megan Merkel and Hastings junior Marika Van Brocklin having shots on goal. Finally, Weber was one of five position players to go the distance.

UNK hosts Northeastern State Sunday at 1:00 p.m.