Lopers Host Warriors, Mustangs & Tigers

8/25/2022 9:54:00 AM

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's soccer team kicks off the 14th season in school history this weekend at home when three teams come to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

The games will be played at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both Friday and Sunday with UNK having the late game each day (Winona State Friday and Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday). Note college soccer has gone away from overtime starting with this season.

Fans not in attendance can watch all four games via The MIAA Network with three of the games having live stats (exception being Friday's 11 a.m. game). Finally, KLPR 91.1 FM will carry the Loper/Mustang game on Sunday.

First-year head coach Rob Breton has been at the helm of the program since April and has led the team in several spring and fall scrimmages. He's the fourth head coach in school history and hoping to guide UNK to its second straight season-opening win.

Returning All-MIAA players from 2021 (fall and spring seasons) are senior defenders Raegan Downham (Cheyenne, Wyo.) and Lily Engeman (Olathe, Kan.) and sophomore defender/midfielder Dolcie Hanlon (Grand Junction, Colo.) with sophomore keeper Mackenzie Smith (Lincoln H.S.) earning 2021 All-Great Plains Athletic Conference honors while at Midland University. She is one of eight newcomers with the true freshmen including Emma Middleton (Platteview H.S.), Gracie Perez (Kearney H.S.) and Reagan Downes (Olathe, Kan.).

UNK heads over the Rocky Mountains next weekend to Grand Junction, Colo., to face Western Colorado and the home standing Colorado Mesa Mavericks.

Friday Schedule
ECU Vs. SMSU
WSU Vs. UNK

Sunday Schedule
ECU Vs. WSU
SMSU Vs. UNK

East Central Tigers (Ada, Okla.)
Conference: Great American (GAC)
2021 Record: 3-11-2 (2-8-2)
2022 Preseason Coaches' Poll Rank: 6th of 7
Notable Returners: #27 Tanja Baubock (10 points on five goals; 48 shots); #9 Kaylee Bruce (eight points on four goals; 24 shots); #1 McKenna Leveling (96 saves; 2-7-2 record; 1.68 GAA)

Winona State Warriors (Winona, Minn.)
Conference: Northern Sun Intercollegiate (NSIC)
2021 Record: 4-12-1 (3-11-1)
All-Time Record vs. UNK: First Meeting
2022 Preseason Coaches' Poll Rank: 9th of 16
Notable Returners: #6 Riley Harmon (nine points on four goals and an assist; 28 shots); #4 Abigail Williams (six points on two goals and two assists; four shots); #00 Alyson Jumper (52 saves; 2-8-0 record; 1.47 GAA)

Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs (Marshall, Minn.)
Conference: Northern Sun Intercollegiate (NSIC)
2021 Record: 4-11-2 (3-10-2)
All-Time Record vs. UNK: 3-0-0
2022 Preseason Coaches' Poll Rank: 13th of 16
Notable Returners: #24 Alex Lotts (12 points on four goals and four assists; 26 shots); #14 Abbey Hoisington (eight points on four goals; 30 shots); #0 Julianne Arballo (2 saves; 496 minutes; 1.81 GAA)

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