Week 1 Preview: Three Teams Come to Kearney

UNK to Face the Dragons & Widcats

Women's Soccer 9/5/2019 9:11:00 AM

Week 1 Preview: Three Teams Come to Kearney

UNK to Face the Dragons & Widcats

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team begins the 11th campaign in school history with the fourth annual UNK Fall Classic.

Also coming to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster field this weekend are Wayne State, Minnesota State-Moorhead and Harding (Ark.). Two games will be played Friday (2 and 5 p.m.) and two more on Sunday (11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.); check the Loper schedule page for expected kickoff times and matchups. All games will have live stats and live video (free) via The MIAA Network.

Third-year head coach Chloe Roberts has a team sporting an unprecedented 15 true freshmen. The young Lopers got a chance to get used to each other with home scrimmages the past two Saturday's against area club teams.

UNK has still several key veterans dotting the lineup in senior keeper Allie Prososki (Kearney Catholic), senior defender Molly Willis (Kearney H.S.), senior forward Maddie Love (Norfolk) and senior midfielder Megan Merkel (Millard West). This foursome combined for nearly 5,000 minutes of playing time in 2018.

The Lopers were among the stingiest teams in the MIAA, allowing just 32 goals over 18 games. Kearney was involved in more than its fair share of close calls in 2018, playing 12 games decided by a single goal (5-7-0).

UNK heads over the Rocky Mountains next weekend to take part in Western Colorado's Invite. The Mountaineers had to change the location of the event late this summer to rival Colorado Mesa and Grand Junction, Colo., as field renovations at WCU weren't completed yet.

Wayne State College Wildcats (Wayne, NE)
Conference: NSIC (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conf.)
2018 Record: 4-12-1 (4-10-1)
2019 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll: 11th of 16
Returning Leaders: #9 Rylie Wehner (Jr., 5-6, F, 26 shots, 3 goals, 7 points); #2 Sophia Ketchmark (Sr., 5-4, MF, 15 shots, 2 goals, 7 points); #30 Rachel Grisham (Sr., 5-4, 2.1 GAA, 29 saves, 0-5-0 record)

Minnesota State U.-Moorhead Dragons (Moorhead, MN)
Conference: NSIC (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conf.)
2018 Record: 4-13-0 (4-11-0)
2019 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll: 13th of 16
Returning Leaders: #3 Carly Jo Gamrath (Jr., 5-5, MF, 34 shots, 2 goals, 4 points); #13 Tomomi Nishihara (5-1, Jr., MF, 15 shots, 2 goals, 4 points); #1 Kayleigh Sedlacek (So., 5-10, 1.51 GAA, 131 saves, 3-9-0)

Harding U. Bison (Searcy, AR)
Conference: GAC (Great American Conf.)
2018 Record: 7-10-0 (7-5-0)
2019 GAC Preseason Coaches' Poll: 4th of 7
Returning Leaders: #13 Emma Welch (5-6, Jr., F, 14 shots, 6 goals, 14 points); #6 Ameilia Lewis (Sr., 5-7, D, 26 shots, 3 goals, 6 points); #00 Jessica Woessner (Sr., 5-7, 1.91 GAA, 55 saves, 4-7-0)

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Players Mentioned

#22 Maddie Love: F; 5' 10"; Senior; Norfolk SC

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

#0 Allie Prososki: GK; 5' 8"; Senior; Nebraska Select

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

Players Mentioned

#22 Maddie Love
: 5' 10"; Senior; Norfolk SC
: F

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

#0 Allie Prososki
: 5' 8"; Senior; Nebraska Select
: GK

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