Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore Tori Weber scored in the 88th minute to help Nebraska-Kearney beat Emporia State, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

This was the regular season finale for both teams. The Lopers end 2016 with a 7-8-3 (4-5-2) record, good for ninth place in the MIAA (14 points). UNK also was 4-1-2 over its last seven games.

Meanwhile, the Hornets drop to 8-8-2 (6-5-0; 18 points) and will play Tuesday in the first round of the eight-team MIAA Tournament.

Back in September, UNK edged E-State 1-0 in Kansas when Hastings junior Kaitlyn Pawloski scored in the 89th minute.

The Lopers used that same formula today as Weber (Lincoln Southeast H.S.) broke away from the Hornet defense and dribbled the ball down the center of the field. After running a good 40 yards, she took a shot from the right wing.

Nearly everyone in the stadium thought the shot from around 12 yards out was saved by ESU keeper Yadira Rivera. However, the ball went through her legs and crossed the goal line before a diving Rivera could save it.

"Maybe the soccer gods were with us on that goal," said UNK head coach John Maessner. "We have such a good group and they played hard again today. It's a shame we're not moving on."

The goal allows Weber to be UNK's leading scorer (six points on three goals) on the season. Overall, the Lopers tallied 15 goals in 18 games while allowing just 19.

"This group has played really well all year. We've proven we can complete with anyone," said Maessner. "It's tough when you're having a hard time finding the back of the net. Once we figure that out, we can be at the top of the league. This team has a bright future."

 

In a physical and chippy contest, the teams combined for 26 fouls and two yellow cards. UNK out shot ESU 7-3 in the second half and 10-8 overall. The Hornets did have a slight edge in corners, 4-2.

On the season, besides Weber, sophomores Kelsie Ienn (Papillion-LaVista H.S.) and Sami Stock (Millard South H.S.) had four points apiece with junior Marika Van Brocklin (Hastings H.S.) and freshman Molly Willis (Kearney H.S.) the only Lopers to start all 18 games.

Willis also played 1,681 of a possible 1,703 minutes; her total ranks fifth highest in UNK history for a single season.

Finally, seniors Kristyn Otter (Millard North H.S.), Evie Sintek (Norfolk H.S.) and Kadie Walaszczyk (Houston) were honored before the game. Over the last five years, they've been a part of 33 wins and two trips to the MIAA Tournament.

"These seniors, and the alumni that came back this weekend, have helped build our program," said Maessner. "Because of them, we're ready to go to the next level and start winning championships."