WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Jennies remain No. 1 in the latest NSCAA coaches poll thanks to their victories over Emporia State and Washburn over the weekend. They are the first team ranked No. 1 two weeks in a row this season.The Jens will hit the road this week as they travel to Nebraska-Kearney for a Friday afternoon match and their first MIAA road game of the year. They'll then travel to Fort Hays State for another MIAA showdown.
Central Missouri and Nebraska-Kearney are two of only three MIAA teams to win both games in week one of conference play.
Series HistoryNeb.-Kearney: UCM leads 3-0-1The Jennies have never lost to the Lopers, and have outscored them 12-3 in the series' history. UCM holds a 1-0-1 series lead in games played at Kearney. The Jennies won 3-0 in last year's matchup. The victory was the only time the Jens have shutout the Lopers.
Fort Hays State: UCM leads 4-1-0Every game in this series has been decided by one goal, and two of the five games have been decided in overtime. The Jennies have outscored the Tigers 7-4. Fort Hays has not won in the series since 2012. UCM is 2-0 at Fort Hays all-time.
Scouting the CompetitionNebraska-Kearney:• Nebraska-Kearney is 2-1 at home this season, with wins against Missouri Southern and Southwest Baptist, and a loss to Fort Hays State.
• The matchup with UCM comes in the middle of a four-game home stand for the Lopers. They have recorded wins over Missouri Southern and Southwest Baptist in the first two games, then will host Lindenwood in game four.
• Nebraska-Kearney is led by senior forward Montanna Hosterman who leads the team in goals with three, and points with seven. Hosterman is also the career leader in points for the Lopers.
• Freshman goalkeeper Ali Hirschman is fifth in the MIAA in saves with 35, and fourth in the MIAA in save percentage with a .814 percentage.
• The Lopers are ranked ninth in scoring average, and seventh in opponent scoring average in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State:• Fort Hays State is 2-2-0 at home this season, with victories against Southwest Minnesota State and Missouri Southern, and losses to Minot State and Southwest Baptist.
• The matchup against the Jennies will come at the end of a four-game home stand. The Tigers lost to Southwest Baptist in the first game, and then defeated Missouri Southern in game two. They will play Lindenwood before taking on the Jennies in the fourth game.
• The Tigers are led by senior midfielder Kylee Loneker, who leads the team in goals with three, and points with six.
• Two different goalkeepers have started for the Tigers this season. Sophomore Kristen Thompson has received most of the playing time in goal, she has 26 saves and a .788 save percentage. Freshman Abbie Flax has also received playing time in goal, she has recorded six saves and a .857 save percentage.
• FHSU sits fourth in the MIAA in opponent scoring average at 1.00 goals per game, and is tied for fifth in the MIAA in scoring average with 1.375 goals per game.
• The Tigers have outscored their opponents 11-8 this season.
Goals, Goals and More Goals• UCM is third in total goals scored in NCAA Division II, and first in the MIAA with 33.
• The Jennies are fifth in NCAA Division II in goals scored per game with a 4.25 average.
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Julie Ireland is tied for 11th in goals with eight, and
Megan Woolley is tied for 38th in goals with six in NCAA Division II.
Defense Wins Championships• Goalkeeper
Ana Dilkes was named the MIAA Goalkeeper of the Week for the second week in a row with her performance against Emporia State and Washburn. She recorded four saves and did not allow a goal while the Jennies went 2-0. The award is her fifth of her career.
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Abby Rhodes joined Dilkes in being selected as a player of the week as she was named the MIAA Defender of the Week. The award is the first of her career. Rhodes led a defensive line that allowed only 11 shots last weekend, and she recorded an assist on the game's only goal against Washburn.
• Dilkes' .968 save percentage is tops in the MIAA, and second-best in NCAA Division II. Her 0.13 goals against average is also tops in the MIAA and ranks second in NCAA Division II.
• The Jens rank first in the MIAA in goals against average, and fifth in the NCAA with 0.25 goals allowed per game.
• The Jennies are fourth in NCAA Division II in shutout percentage with a .750 percentage. UCM has recorded shutouts in six of their eight games this year.
Current Streaks• The Jens have won 19-straight regular season games, and have not lost in their last 29 regular season games going 28-0-1 in that stretch.
• UCM has scored at least one goal in 32-straight games dating back to September 29, 2013 where they tied Emporia State 0-0.
The Sestercentennial Club• UCM's 4-0 victory over Emporia marked the 250th win in program history.
Road Warriors• The Jens have only lost three road games since the beginning of the 2010 season, and have not lost an away game since September 8, 2013 against Minnesota State.
