Kearney, Neb. – Freshman Megan Cook scored a breakaway goal in the 99th minute to lift Nebraska Kearney over Fort Hays State, 1-0, Thursday night at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

With the non-conference win, the Lopers (3-1-1) hand the rival Tigers (2-1-2) its first loss of the year. Hays finished 2016 as Central Region runners up and received votes in this week's Top 25 poll.

UNK hadn't beaten Hays since November 2013, a span of six games (0-5-1). The Tigers came in having not allowed a goal all year and they again played a scoreless 90 minutes.

However, that scoreless streak ended at 499 minutes as Cook (Bellevue West) took advantage of a fortunate bounce off a high ball sent 40 yards down the field by junior Kelsie Ienn (Papillion-LaVista).

After the ball went out of bounds off a Tiger, Ienn set up on the left side of the field. Cook, now with a team-high two goals on the fall, beat her defender down the field, got control of it, jabbed stepped to the left and banged home the game winner from about 20 yards out.  

"Kelsie sent the ball over the top and I looked up, cut to the inside and hit it with my laces. I tumbled and then I realized it went in," said Cook. "I like to score goals, cut inside and wrap my foot around it."

Both squads had several chances to win the game in regulation, especially at the end of the second half. Omaha junior keeper Ali Hirschman made a key save in the 87th minute and then UNK had a golden opportunity to win in the waning seconds. However, a cross in front of an open Tiger net didn't find a Loper.

"We played some great soccer and they deserve to be as happy as they are right now," said UNK head coach Chloe Roberts. "A freshman doing that in this high caliber of a game is awesome."

Overall, Hays out shot Kearney by an 8-5 margin with the Lopers having more corners, 3-1. As expected, a physical game resulted in 23 combined fouls.

"In preseason, this was one of the games we put on the board that we were going to win," said Roberts. "We moved off the ball very well, connected passes, frustrated them and won first balls, second balls. We made it very hard on them with our outside fours making diagonal runs. I think we surprised Hays tonight."

Hirschman finished with three saves as the Loper defense recorded its third shutout of the season. Cook had two of the three shots on goal with Hastings junior Kaitlyn Pawloski having the other. Finally, five players went the distance, including Lincoln freshman Megan Hellem and Ienn.

"I understand the rivalry now. The locker room had extra decorations and it was a different feeling compared to all the other games. We had a big crowd and it was great atmosphere to be in," said Cook.

UNK heads to Washburn Sunday afternoon.