Kearney, Neb. – Senior Katie Pagel scored in the 59th minute and Nebraska-Kearney had an 18-shot advantage to beat Minnesota-Crookston, 1-0, Sunday afternoon in Sioux Falls.
The Lopers are 2-0-0 for the first time since the program began in 2009. The previous best opening weekend start was a 1-0-1 effort in 2017.
Now 2-0-0 all-time against the Golden Eagles (0-2-0), UNK peppered keeper Jordan Metz with 21 shots with half being on goal. Iowa junior Hanna Schimmer (six) and Lincoln sophomore Jordan Renard (five) led the parade with eight different Lopers getting at least one shot off.
Midway through the second half, UNK had a throw-in deep in Crookston territory. A Golen Eagle tried to clear the ball but, instead, found Pagel (Aurora, Colo.) about 10 yards out of the center box. She promptly rocketed the ball to the left upper 90 where Metz just missed a tip save.
Defensively, sophomore keeper Susie Bovaird (Lincoln East) recorded two saves with this being UNK’s third shutout since the start of last season. For a second straight game, defenders Dolcie Hanlon (Grand Junction, Colo.) and Keila Gillispie (Newton, Kan.) went all 90 minutes with Utah freshman Billie Forrest logging 50 minutes off the bench. Finally, Idaho freshman reserve [/roster.aspx?rp_id=9305]Chloe Edmunds had her first collegiate shot.
UNK hosts Concordia-St. Paul (1-0-1) and Minnesota State-Moorhead (0-1-1) next weekend. New Mexico Highlands (1-0-1) is on the other team in the field.
UNK women’s soccer off to 2-0 start
