Kearney, Neb. – Senior Elizabeth Finn scored the first two goals of her career to help Northwest Missouri State down Nebraska Kearney, 3-1, Sunday afternoon in Maryville.

With the MIAA, the Bearcats (5-6-0, 2-3-0) stop a three-game losing streak while UNK falls to 3-7-2 (0-5-0).

A 5-7 defender, Finn struck in the 25th minute when freshman Taylor Wolfe found her in the box. Finn, a former basketball player for Northwest, went far post to score her first career goal.

Right before halftime, it was Wolfe's turn to score as a free kick by senior keeper Ashley Malloy traveled nearly the length of the field. Wolfe took that pass, beat her Loper defender and scored from just outside the box. 

The teams went on to combine for an impressive 41 shots, UNK taking 24 and the 'Cats 17. The 24 shots tie for the third most in school history and are five shy of the school mark, set in a 2010 win over Colorado Christian. Also, both teams ended the day with seven corners; that is the  third most by the Lopers this fall. 

Most of the shots came in the second half as Kearney fired off 19 and Northwest 10. The 'Cats pushed its lead to three in the 71st minute when Finn took a through ball from freshman Adrie Gunn and finished high.

UNK responded quickly as Kearney sophomore Molly Willis headed in a free kick taken by Papillion junior Kelsie Ienn in the 75th minute. On the season, Willis is now tied for the team lead in goals (two) with Lincoln freshman Megan Cook.

"We out shot them, hit the crossbar twice and missed some chances that need to be put in the back of the net. However, at the end of the day, the scoreboard is what counts," said Loper head coach Chloe Roberts. "We're missing that final piece and in time that will come."

Overall, Hastings senior Marika Van Brocklin had a team-high five shots with Willis recording four. Both had two shots on goal and went all 90 minutes. Northwest saw Malloy, a Skutt graduate, make eight saves with the defense stopping one shot. 

Next, Lincoln junior Tori Weber and Hastings junior Kaitlyn Pawloski had three shots apiece with Cook one of three Lopers firing off two. Finally, Missouri sophomore Emily Thuss played the second half in goal and recorded six saves.

"That result proves we have to be a 90 minute team, not a 45 minute team. We're adjusting to a new style of play in keeping the ball on the ground and connecting passes, which we did very well for 45 minutes today," said Roberts. "We just have to be more active and want the ball by having a bigger and better desire to do this all game long."

UNK hosts Missouri Southern State and Southwest Baptist next weekend. Those are the final home games of the 2017 campaign.