Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore Olympia Katsouridis tallied a header 36 seconds into overtime to help Fort Hays State down Nebraska-Kearney, 2-1, Friday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

The Tigers (9-6-2, 7-3-0) win a fourth straight road game while the Lopers fall to 5-11-1 (3-6-1).

UNK still has a chance at qualifying for the eight-team MIAA Tournament but will need assistance from Northwest Missouri State on Sunday afternoon. The Bearcats are at Lindenwood and the Lions and the Lopers are currently tied for eighth place. LWU owns the tiebreaker over UNK; they visit second-place Central Missouri tonight.

Trying to avenge a 1-0 setback to Hays earlier this season, the Lopers had a 12-9 shot advantage. However, the Tigers struck first and last as true freshman Cailey Perkins scored in the 11th minute after knocking in a cross from junior Darby Hirsch. Katsouridis, after taking pass from junior Nikita Woods, saw her game-winner header float in from about eight yards out and from the top of the box. 

The Lopers, who had an 8-4 shot advantage in the first half, got on the board in the 24th minute when Bellevue sophomore Megan Cook tallied a rebound goal. Omaha junior Megan Merkel had the initial shot and Hays keeper Megan Kneefel couldn't corral the loose ball. This is Cook's first goal of 2018.

Kearney's last chance to score came late in the second half when a shot from Norfolk junior Maddie Love sailed just high of the Tiger net. Senior keeper Allie Prososki (Kearney Catholic) did record a save in the final minute to force extra time.

Merkel, Love and South Dakota freshman Kassidy Kirsch had two shots apiece with Hirsch (four) and Perkins (three) leading the Tigers with seven combined shots.Finally, fifth-year senior Emily Kosch (Columbus Scotus) was honored after the game. 

UNK hosts Emporia State (11-4-1) on Sunday to conclude the regular season. The Hornets are at rival Washburn Friday night.