Week 5 Preview: Four Game Road Swing Starts in Kansas

Women's Soccer 10/3/2019 12:33:00 PM

Week 5 Preview: Four Game Road Swing Starts in Kansas

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team begins a four-game road swing this Friday night when it travels to Wichita to face MIAA newcomer Newman University.

The Lopers (1-5-2, 0-1-0) will then face No. 14 Central Oklahoma (6-0-2, 1-0-0) on Sunday afternoon. Check the UNK schedule page for kickoff times and media links.

Newman winning 12 games last season, joined the conference this summer after the Heartland Conference folded. NU (5-1-2, 1-0-0) is coming off a 1-0 (OT) win over fellow MIAA newcomer Rogers State with its one loss coming by a 3-2 margin to Northeastern State. Those are the only three goals NU has allowed to date. The Jets handed UNK a 2-0 setback last fall at Cope Stadium in the only meeting between the two schools on the pitch.

UCO was among the nation's tops teams last year, posting a 22-2 mark and reaching the NCAA Tournament Regional finals. While there were several key graduation losses the 'Chos have still out scored its competition by a 29-10 margin this fall. UNK is 3-5-0 all-time vs. UCO, falling by a 5-0 count last season.

Kearney is among the current MIAA leaders in both goals allowed and saves. The defense has pitched three shut outs and limits teams to 10 shots per game. Individually Kearney senior Molly Willis (760), Bellevue junior Megan Cook (750), Megan Merkel (674) and Kansas freshman Lily Engeman (666) are the team leaders in minutes played.

The Lopers head to NW Missouri State and Missouri Western State next weekend.

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Players Mentioned

#18 Megan Cook: D; 5' 4"; Junior; Metro Wolves Fiera

#10 Megan Merkel: MF; 5' 5"; Senior; Omaha FC

#6 Molly Willis: D; 5' 10"; Senior; Nebraska Select

#20 Lily Engeman: D; 6' 0"; Freshman; KCSG Academy Copa

Players Mentioned

#18 Megan Cook
: 5' 4"; Junior; Metro Wolves Fiera
: D

#10 Megan Merkel
: 5' 5"; Senior; Omaha FC
: MF

#6 Molly Willis
: 5' 10"; Senior; Nebraska Select
: D

#20 Lily Engeman
: 6' 0"; Freshman; KCSG Academy Copa
: D