Kearney, Neb. – Freshman Andrea Gamez scored her first career goal to help Missouri Southern State edge Nebraska Kearney, 1-0, Friday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.

The Lions (2-8-2, 2-4) earn its second MIAA road win of the fall while the Lopers fall to 3-8-2 (0-6-0). 

MSSU tallied the game's lone goal just 2:33 into the action. UNK had possession deep in Lion territory but senior defender Brooke Ishmael managed to clear the ball down the right side of the field. Her long effort hit off a Loper near midfield and found Gamez, who then raced 30 yards towards the Loper goal.

From the right wing about 10 yards out, she went high to the far post for her first two collegiate points. Six minutes into the second half, Gamez almost tallied another goal but the ball banged off the crossbar and Loper keeper Emily Thuss (Raymore, Mo.) smothered the rebound.

For the fourth time this fall, Kearney out shot its opponent but lost. The Lopers had an 11-3 shot advantage, including a 7-1 margin in the first half. Colorado junior Michaela Hoffman had a solid shot attempt from the left wing saved by sophomore keeper Luz Galindo in the 66th minute while Lincoln freshman Makada Beamon had a header in the box go high soon after.

"We played some of the best soccer we have all year and it's unfortunate that the end result does not reflect our performance. That has been the story of the season so far," said Loper head coach Chloe Roberts. "The way we moved the ball from the start of the year has gotten so much better and that is a credit to the players."

Also having a 5-4 advantage in corners, UNK saw Lincoln freshman Megan Cook and Kearney sophomore Molly Willis both get off two shots. Thuss and Omaha junior Ali Hirschman both went 45 minutes and combined for one save.

Finally, four Lopers went all 90 minutes, including senior Marika Van Brocklin (Hastings). She needs 92 more minutes to break the UNK career record of 6,047 set by Sarah Talcott between 2010-13.

"The team keeps giving 100 percent every practice, every game and not giving up has been incredible. I will keep saying how great this team is because they are and I'm lucky to coach each and every player. It'll come together soon and this team deserves that," said Roberts. 

UNK hosts Southwest Baptist Sunday afternoon in the 2017 home finale.