Kearney, Neb. - Senior Ashlynn Summar scored with 45 seconds left in the second overtime period to help Emporia State edge Nebraska Kearney, 1-0, Sunday afternoon in Kansas.
 
This was the regular season finale for both teams. The Hornets (8-8-2, 4-6-1) will be the eighth seed in the eight-team MIAA Tournament while the Lopers end the year at 4-11-3 (1-9-1).  
 
Emporia stopped a five-game skid on Friday with a 3-0 win over rival Washburn. Today, the Hornets earned its second home win of the year thanks to Summar's fourth goal of the fall. With the clock winding down, Olivia Miller sent a cross that Summar headed into the left corner of the Loper goal. 
 
"That was heartbreaking. We hit the crossbar and had some great chances to win this game," said UNK head coach Chloe Roberts. "It proves that we have to more clinical in front of goal to get the result we want in this conference. One goal usually wins you the game."
 
UNK out shot ESU by a 19-12 margin with the Hornets having two more corners, 6-4. The Lopers took 12 of its shots in the second half with keeper Bethany Reeves making eight saves. Her last one came in the 108th minute on an attempt by freshman Megan Cook (Bellevue).
 
Eleven Lopers took at least one shot off with Omaha junior Ciera Clark, Papillion junior Kelsie Ienn and Norfolk sophomore Maddie Love combining for nine. Love and Colorado junior Michaela Hoffman both had two shots on goal.
 
In goal, Missouri sophomore Emily Thuss went all 110 minutes and made three saves. Emporia saw Tanna Benefiel take a team-high four shots.
 
"This has been a rollercoaster season. Regardless of that, the players stuck together and gave there all each day. The most rewarding thing has been to see each player improve their technical and tactical understanding of the game," said Roberts. "We have set a very strong foundation of some great possession-orientated soccer and a family environment which we can build on for the future."
 
Kearney had four seniors this season in Carly Brown (Omaha Skutt), Alexis Fernandez (Goodyear, Ariz.), Kaitlyn Pawloski (Hastings) and Marika Van Brocklin (Hastings).
 
"I want to thank the seniors and their parents for everything they have done for this program. Watching them grow not just as soccer players but as people has been amazing to see. They are special individuals who'll be greatly missed," said Roberts.
 
Already setting a new UNK record for career minutes (over 6,600), Van Brocklin now has the career games record. By playing today, it marked her 73rd appearance, one more than keeper Marissa Niday (2009-12) and defender Sarah Talcott (2010-13).