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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Ariella Mesa
Corbey R. Dorsey
1
Winner Augustana (SD) Augie (1-2-0, 0-0-0)
0
Neb.-Kearney UNKE (1-3-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Augustana (SD) Augie
(1-2-0, 0-0-0)
1
Final
0
Neb.-Kearney UNKE
(1-3-0, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Augustana (SD) Augie 0 0 1 1
Neb.-Kearney UNKE 0 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Hobbled Lopers Fall to Region Power in Extra Time

Kearney, Neb. – Senior Alexis Legg scored eight minutes into overtime to help Augustana edge Nebraska-Kearney, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

The short-handed Lopers fall to 1-3 with the Vikings, a perennial Central Region power, improving to 1-2. Augie won 16 games in 2019 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Augie didn't have another game this weekend and thus came in with fresh legs. Meanwhile, UNK was coming off a 1-0 setback to Northwestern Oklahoma State (3-1) on Friday and dealing with a rash of injuries. The bug continued as Colorado redshirt sophomore Molly Platt went down in the first half and will be lost for the season.

"We're dealing with a lot right now … basically five, six starters out. A total of 10 injuries so our rotation is getting thinner and thinner," UNK head coach Chloe Roberts said. "I cannot fault today's effort. We showed great work ethic, heart and desire just to try and win a game. They did everything we asked for and competed with a team that's picked second in their conference."

While Augie had advantages in shots, 14-8, and corners, 14-3, UNK had a couple of golden opportunities to score. In the first half California senior Perla Navarro fired a shot at the Viking goal with sophomore keeper Jillian Barkus making a diving save. The ball then got away from her and was rolling around the box when a defender cleared it.

With just under a minute left in regulation South Dakota senior Kassidy Kirsch setup for back-to-back corners. After Barkus misplayed the first and the ball rolled out, Kirsch and sent a ball right in front of the Augie goal. Kansas redshirt sophomore Ariella Mesa saw Barkus make a one-handed diving save of her header. The ball fell onto the ground and hung around the goal line and in between a bunch of players. However, Augie eventually cleared it.

"Their keeper made a great save (in the first half) and then they cleared it off the line. With a about a minute to spare we had header off a corner and how that ball doesn't cross the line I have no idea," Roberts said.

The game winner came when it appeared things were headed for another 10 minutes. After a Loper goal kick, the ball stayed in UNK territory. Legg took a pass from Omaha junior Sylvia Fehr and turned around from about 10 yards and found the right corner of the Loper goal.

"Honestly I think we had some tired legs at the end. Overtime is brutal … one shot wins you the game. Their player just turned and had a great shot and it went in," Roberts said.

Kansas redshirt sophomore Lily Engeman and Navarro each had two shots for UNK four others at one apiece. With a depleted bench five players went the distance including New Jersey freshman Angelina Iocca and Bellevue senior co-captain Megan Cook. Finally, Kansas redshirt freshman Emery Mounce recorded six saves.

"If we continue to play like this, moving forward, we'll surprise a lot of people in the MIAA," Roberts said. "I'm super proud of this team."

UNK hosts Washburn on Friday and then heads to Fort Hays State next Sunday. Both games are non-conference.


 
Gallery: (9-1-2021) UNK Women's Soccer 2021 Vs. Augustana
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