Kearney, Neb. – The Missouri Western State Griffons scored three second half set piece goals to rally past Nebraska Kearney, 3-2, Friday afternoon at Foster Field.
The Lopers (3-8-4, 1-6-2) were aiming for their first win over the Griffons (7-2-5, 4-2-2) in 13 years.
On a windy day at Cope Stadium, where UNK had the wind in the first half and MWSU in the second, things could not have started better for the home team. The Lopers created a turnover with senior Anna Thorhallsdottir (Iceland) finding sophomore Shaeley Reichmuth (Omaha Skutt) with a touch pass just outside the box seven minutes into the action for a 1-0 lead. Less than five minutes later, freshman Bella Spadavecchia (Greenville, S.C.) laced a corner into the box where junior Daniella Iaquinta (Aurora, Colo.) banged the ball into the net after it ricocheted off a trio of players.
"The wind helped but our mentality was there (in the first half) and we did all the right things," said Breton. "I liked that we came out and punched a team in the first half. We ran them for a half, and they are a top five team in the conference."
However, MWSU is up to fifth in the MIAA standings (14 points) thanks to goals off a corner (47th minute), free kick (51st) and PK via an inadvertent handball in the box (70th). The Lopers could have been awarded a PK down the stretch, but the whistle did not blow.
"It is not a tale of two halves but a tale of three set pieces. They did not create anything that was game-changing from the flow of game," said Breton. "It is on us for turning off in the easiest moments for us to be focused. We get complacent when we are comfortable. That has happened several times this season."
The Griffs had seven of the game's 12 corners and managed to get 10 shots off after the break as the wind was sailing toward the Loper goal. Finally, keeper Susie Bovaird (Lincoln SW) had two saves with Iaquinta and Thorhallsdottir at two shots apiece.
"Give them credit for showing up, down 2-0, and putting three into the back of the net. They capitalized," said Breton. "We told the team afterwards, the first half is our nationally ranked team; the second half is the team that has shown up for our eight losses."
UNK is off until next weekend when they visit Northeastern State and Central Oklahoma.
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University of Nebraska Kearney
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