Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney women's soccer team has its first MIAA road trip of the season when it battles 20th-ranked Missouri Western State and Northwest Missouri State this weekend.

The Lopers (3-5-2, 0-2-0) are at MWSU on Friday at 6 p.m. and then face the Bearcats Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Check the soccer schedule page for media links.

Mo West (9-1-0, 3-0-0) is one of the top teams in the league this year with its only setback coming to No. 2 Central Missouri, 2-0. In nine other games, the Griffs have outscored the competition 35-5.

Sporting a 6-0 home record, MWSU is led by Division I transfer Cassidy Menke (22 points on 70 shots), true freshman Taylor Schwartzkopf (14 points on 27 shots) and senior Sydney Cluck (17 points on 21 shots). The Griffs average 22 shots per game while allowing just nine.

Defensively, three keepers have played with senior Sarah Lyle (0.67 GAA and 39 saves) having logged the most minutes. Last year in Kearney, MWSU beat the Lopers 2-1 in OT.

Northwest enters a Friday game against Fort Hays State with a 4-5-0 (1-2-0) record. They handed Southwest Baptist a 6-0 setback last week and then fell to Missouri Southern State, 1-0, on Sunday. 

Scoring five goals in each half, NW is led by sophomore Izzy Romano (4 points on 24 shots) and Skutt graduate and freshman Madi McKeever (one point on 22 shots). The 'Cats have out shot their opponents, 154-139, but have taken 10 fewer corners.

Another Skutt grad, Ashley Mallloy, is the starting keeper. The senior has a 2.19 GAA and recorded 35 saves. Division I transfers Brooke McCluskey (2.15 GAA) has appeared in two games and 41 minutes. The 'Cats suffered a 1-0 setback to the Lopers last fall at Cope Stadium. 

Looking for its first win since September 14th, UNK enters the weekend with a 0-2 true road record. In 2016, the Lopers went 2-3-2 away from home, winning at SBU and MSSU.

Kearney's always stingy defense has allowed just 14 goals to date, sixth fewest in the MIAA. The opposition has six goals in the first half, seven after the break and one in extra time. Amazingly, Loper opponents have taken exactly 43 shots in each half.

Offensively, UNK has more corners (44-40) and shots (95-91) than its opponents as well as fouls (110-99). Continuing this close trend, the Lopers and its opponents have exactly 57 shots on goal.

Next weekend, the Kearney closes out the 2017 home slate with titles against SBU and MSSU. Besides "Senior Day", it'll be a "Pink Out" weekend.