Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team remained unbeaten over its last five games after a 1-1 (2 OT) tie with Northeastern State Sunday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.

The Lopers (6-7-3, 3-4-2) are 3-0-2 in its last five games, good for 11 points in the MIAA standings. UNK is now in sole possession of ninth place with four-teams tied for fifth with 15 points apiece. Kearney can likely make the eight-team MIAA Tournament with two wins (six points) or a win and a tie (four points) next weekend.

Northeastern (12-3-1, 5-3-1) has been nationally-ranked this fall and was third in the Central Regional rankings released earlier this week. However, the RiveHawks are now 0-2-1 in its last three contests.

"Heroic effort by our girls. After the game, their coach completed our players," said UNK head coach John Maessner. "We really took it to them. I knew all along we were that good; whenever we play a good team, our level just rises."

NSU got on the board in the 19th minute when junior Julia Mathis was fouled close to the Loper goal. Taking a direct kick, her ball eventually went to teammate Mikayla Carlson in the box. She passed to senior Rachel Gleason, who scored from about five yards out.

Both teams took 11 shots on the day with UNK having seven after the break. In the 65th minute, Omaha sophomore Sami Stock send a long ball towards the center of the field. NSU senior keeper Jordan Woodruff came out about 25 yards but couldn't coral the loose ball.

Texas senior Kadie Walaszczyk beat Woodruff to the ball and managed to get enough on it that it rolled into the 'Hawks goal. That is her first goal of 2016 and seventh as a Loper. 

Woodruff finished with five saves while Kearney redshirt freshman Allie Prososki made six. The 'Hawks took five of the six corners with the Lopers called for one more foul, 8-7.

"That's a top team and we had them on their heels. When you work that hard, you're always going to do well," said Maessner. "We couldn't have worked any harder and we also played really, really well. We beat them to almost every ball."

Offensively, Hastings junior Marika Van Brocklin led UNK in shots (four), two being on goal. Omaha sophomore Kelsie Ienn also had two shots on goal and was one of eight Lopers to play all 110 minutes.

"We connected passes in the midfield and our midfielders made so many important tackles and got us forward," said Maessner. "Our attackers got behind them and all of our backs and defenders played well and solid again."

UNK hosts Fort Hays State (12-3-1, 8-1; 24 points) and Emporia State (7-7-2, 5-4-0; 15 points) next weekend. The game Friday vs. the Tigers will be at 2:00 p.m.

"Against two of the top teams in our conference this weekend we showed ourselves how good we can be," said Maessner.