Central Missouri Scores Two Early; Nine Seniors Honored Sunday
Kearney, Neb. – The fifth-ranked Central Missouri Jennies struck for two early goals and went on to beat Nebraska Kearney, 3-0, Friday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium. A longtime national power, UCM improves to 13-1-1 (7-1-0) while the Lopers fall to 0-12-3 (0-6-2). The Jennies, who've now out scored their competition by a 42-15 margin, tallied goals at 3:57 and 7:14 to take a quick 2-0 lead. On a blustery day at Foster Field, they added an insurance goal in the second half when redshirt junior Lindsay Edmonds, with the wind at her back, knocked in a free kick from about 45 yards out. "As a group I don't think we were checked in for the first 10 and against a team like that you can't give them any open-door moments," said Loper head coach Rob Breton. The first goal came after redshirt freshman Julia Kristensen stole the ball and raced down the right wing. Her cross found redshirt freshman Madilyn Hamline in the box for a short shot. It marked the Missouri transfer's seventh goal of the fall. About three minutes later, Kristensen ran away from the UNK defense and was near the backline when she sent a pass backwards to teammate Calynn Harbert. She recorded her second goal of 2022 by scoring from the right box "We lose the ball in the final third because we're trying to do more than we should. They take it, run down in but we knew exactly what they were going to look for. No one wanted to step to the mark … we all pointed and said she's open," said Breton. "Second goal the breakaway from us and we overcompensated (defensively). That allowed for a wide-open goal." UNK had all three of its shots in the first half with two being on goal. Wichita senior Cammie Davis saw her effort stopped by sophomore keeper Sydney Beck in the eighth minute with a free kick from Kansas senior Lily Engeman suffering the same fate soon after. "About five minutes after their second goal, we're on the front foot and get a shot from Cammie and then one from Lily. We get a bunch of opportunities around the box, we have players down the wing getting opportunities," said Breton. "There was a lot of good stuff for us in the first half but the problem is we don't capitalize and you can't open the door for teams like UCM because they'll step right in and make themselves at home." The Jens finished with eight shots on goal and had five corners. Hamline had a team-best four shots and was one of 25 UCM players to see the field. Lincoln senior Isabella Whiston had UNK's other shot with Lincoln sophomore keeper Mackenzie Smith making five saves. UNK hosts Missouri Southern State (1-11-1, 1-5-1) on Sunday at noon to close out the home slate. Nine seniors will be honored after the game. MSSU is at Fort Hays State on Friday night. "I'm excited for the seniors because I think there's going to be a different kind of energy. It's the last hurrah playing in front of your family and friends and at your school," said Breton.
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