Week Two Preview: Long Road Swing to Montana

Kearney, Neb. – One of the longest road trips in Nebraska-Kearney soccer history takes place this weekend as the Lopers head to Montana for the annual "Rimrock Classic."

UNK left Tuesday for a Thursday/Saturday playing schedule; men's college teams will play on Friday/Sunday. The tournament, hosted by Montana State-Billings, is in memory of the late Trevor Wildberger. He was an MSUB freshman soccer player.

The Lopers only other 11-hour road trip (one-way) came back in its Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) days when it traveled to Durango, Colo., for league tilts with Fort Lewis College.

UNK (0-2-0) will face the host Yellowjackets Thursday and the University of Mary (ND) Marauders on Saturday. Check the Loper schedule page for kick times and media links; video is available for both games.

In the 2017 season opener at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field, Kearney downed MSU-Billings by a 2-1 score. UNK struck pay dirt in the 25th and 39th minutes and finished the day with a four shot advantage, 10-6.

MSUB is already 1-0-1 in the early going, beating Wayne State by a 2-0 score last weekend in Denver.

The Mary Marauders, who have yet to play a regular season game in 2018, were one of the top teams in the NSIC last year and return its three top scorers. Picked to finish seventh out of 16 teams in its preseason league poll, Mary does have to replace a senior keeper. UNK and UM have never met on the pitch before.

The Lopers face Washburn at home next Friday in a non-conference game before heading to Emporia State on Sunday.

Montana State University-Billings Yellowjackets (1-0-1)
Conference: GNAC (Great Northwest Athletic Conf.)
2017 Record: 3-12-2 (2-8-2)
Returning Leaders: #3 Amanda Grimshaw (5-3, So., F, 3 points on a goal and assist); #8 Julia Keller (5-8, Fr., F, German National, 8 shots; two points on a goal); #24 Lili Delgado (0.00 GAA, 4 saves, 90 minutes)

U. of Mary Marauders (0-0-0)
Conference: NSIC (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conf.)
2017 Record: 12-5-2 (9-4-2)
Returning Leaders: #7 Jade Smith (5-7, Sr., F, 20 points on eight goals and four assists), #14 (5-7, Sr., F, Caylin Cathey, 19 point on six goals and seven assists), #28 Karleen Pappert (6-3, Jr., GK, 0.00 GAA, 14 minutes)

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