Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore defender
Molly Willis scored in the 82nd minute and junior
Ali Hirschman made four saves to help Nebraska Kearney tie Emporia State, 1-1 (2 OT), Friday night at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.
This was UNK's last non-conference game of the fall. With tonight's result, the Lopers are 3-2-2 and the Hornets 4-2-1.
On a very windy night in Kearney, Emporia used the weather to its advantage as New Zealand freshman Leah Mettam let loose from about 30 yards out in the 22nd minute. With the wind at her back, the shot stayed high enough to just beat Hirschman (Millard South) and not hit the cross bar.
E-State had six of its nine shots over the first 45 minutes with Hirschman making saves in the 35th and 41st minutes. Offensively, UNK saw Willis (Kearney H.S.) almost score in the 43rd minute but the ball hit the crossbar. Earlier, Emporia freshman Bethan Reeves saved a shot taken by sophomore
Megan Merkel (Millard West).
"That was a battle. Going a goal down is always tough. However, this year we know as a team that we have enough attacking creativity to get a goal and we did exactly that," said Loper head coach
Chloe Roberts.
Kearney took eight of its 10 shots after the break and finally found pay dirt when junior defender
Kelsie Ienn (Papillion-LaVista) lined up for an indirect kick. Her long ball hit hard off a couple of Hornets and found the foot of Willis, who sent it home for her second career goal.
Both squads had chances to win in regulation and in extra time with Emporia having a header just go a bit high in the final seconds. UNK's last shot came in the 98th minute and was taken by junior Michaela Hoffman (Fruita, Colo.).
"I'm very proud of the way they responded. We stayed disciplined and organized and were a bit unlucky not to nick a goal in to win the game," said Roberts. "Even though we didn't get the win, there are still many positives we can take out heading into our conference opener."
Weather permitting, the Lopers host Washburn (4-2-1) Sunday at 1 p.m. The Ichabods won at Fort Hays State tonight, 1-0.
