Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore Megan Merkel scored in the 56th minute and the defense was stingy again as Nebraska Kearney beat Western State Colorado, 1-0, Friday afternoon in Grand Junction, Colo.

Winning for the third time at elevation, the Lopers improve to 2-1 while the Mountaineers, from the RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference), fall to 0-2-1.

For a second straight game, UNK fired off 15 shots while holding its opponent to less than six. The Lopers had eight shots in the first half and finished the day with five on goal.

"Once again we dominated the game and, today, we found a way to get the ball in the back of the net," said UNK head coach Chloe Roberts. "I said at halftime we need someone to step up and win us the game and Megan did exactly that."

After a scoreless first half, Kearney got on the board as junior Caitlin Rerucha (Omaha Skutt) sent a crossing pass to the middle of the box. The ball found Merkel (Millard West), who banged it in for her second career goal.

"When we moved off the ball and connected passes we looked great. Things are starting to come together," said Roberts. 

Western sophomore keeper Emile Eckhart played the second half and recorded three saves, twice stopping shots by junior Michaela Hoffman (Fruita, Colo). On the other side of the field, junior Ali Hirschman (Millard South) recorded her second straight shut out by making four saves, the last coming at 87:57.

On the year, the Loper defense has allowed just one goal (via penalty kick) and 13 shots in 290 minutes.

Offensively, 10 different Lopers took a shot with Hoffman having two of the five on goal. Despite being at 4,593 feet, defenders Kelsie Ienn (Papillion-LaVista) and Molly Willis (Kearney) played all 90 minutes. Finally, eight reserves played for UNK, including 56 minutes from freshman Megan Hellem (Lincoln Pius).

"It's not easy to go on the road and get a victory. I couldn't be prouder of the team. Each player played a part and the work ethic of this team isn't something you can teach," said Roberts. "We'll look at the film and see the things we need to get better at and rest and recover to go again Sunday."

UNK faces Colorado Mesa Sunday. The Mavericks (1-2-) beat Texas-Permian Basin, 1-0, in the second game of the day.