Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney women's soccer team begins MIAA play this weekend with a home game against the rival Fort Hays State Tigers and a road tilt at Washburn.

Because FHSU (2-0-2) and WU (2-1-1) are in UNK's pod, along with Emporia State, these games will not count in the conference standings. The second meeting with the Tigers, Ichabods and Hornets factor into the conference race. 

UNK has its only Thursday game when Hays stops by Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. On Sunday, the game begins at 1 p.m. in Topeka. Check the Loper schedule page for media links.

First-year head coach Blake Reynolds, formerly of NAIA Kansas Wesleyan, has his Tigers unbeaten through four games. They bested Southwest Minnesota State, 6-0, and Upper Iowa, 2-0, while having back-to-back scoreless ties against Augustana and Minot (N.D.) State.

Currently receiving votes for the Top 25, Hays graduated several stars off last year's 15-5-3 (10-1-0 MIAA) squad. The Tigers were nationally ranked and won two games in the NCAA Tournament.

The top returners are seniors Eden Stoddard (nine shots; eight points) and Jasmine Beaulieu (six shots) with senior Kristen Thompson the new keeper. She has recorded 13 saves and has a 0.00 GAA in 260 minutes.

Last year, The Tigers claimed a 3-0 victory at Cope with the non-con game being a 1-1 tie in Hays. That contest was marred by a Loper penalty kick that was taken off the board.

Washburn owns identical 2-0 home wins over Upper Iowa and Southwest Minnesota while falling to Newman, 4-1, and tying Northwestern Oklahoma State, 1-1. First-year head coach Davy Phillips, previously of NAIA Baker (Kan.) University, has squad coming off a 9-9-1 (5-6-0) season. The 'Bods host rival Emporia in a non-con Friday at 6 p.m.
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The top five scorers and starting keeper, senior Kaitlin Minnich, all return. Currently, Gretna junior Ellie Karloff (eight shots; two goals) and freshman Tera Lynch (seven shots; four points) lead the offense with Minnich having a 1.18 GAA and 18 saves. In 2016, Washburn the season series from UNK (1-0 at home and 2-1 on the road).

The Lopers were the dominant team in beating Montana State-Billings and Western State Colorado and tying Minnesota State-Moorhead. To date, UNK has out shot its opponents by a 43-28 margin, including 23-15 in the first 45 minutes.

That first half advantage also shows up in corners (15-2) but, defensively, the opposition has had success in getting off quality shots in the early going. Colorado Mesa scored both of its goal in the first 23 minutes to post a 2-0 win this past Sunday.

Omaha junior keeper Ali Hirschman has a solid 0.71 GAA while making 14 saves an posting two shut outs. Offensively, nine different Lopers have taking at least two shots, led by Colorado junior Michaela Hoffman (eight) and Omaha natives Megan Merkel and Caitlin Rerucha (five each).

Next weekend, the Lopers host Emporia State on Friday (7 p.m.) and Washburn (1 p.m.) on Sunday.