The Week Ahead
• After another 2-0 weekend, Jennies Soccer kept their No. 2 position in the week four National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) Poll, released Tuesday afternoon.
• Junior
Ana Dilkes and senior
Emily Eldridge were named MIAA Goalkeeper and Defender of the Week, respectively, for the second straight week. Dilkes was perfect in stopping all five shots on goal in two games last week. Eldridge helped UCM hold their two opponents to a combined five shots on goal and 12 total shots as the Jennies improved to 7-0.
• The Jennies return home this weekend as they continue conference play. They will host Nebraska-Kearney Friday night at 7 p.m. and Fort Hays State Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Series History
Nebraska-Kearney: UCM leads 4-0-1
The Jennies and Lopers have a short history dating back to 2011. The Jennies have won four matches and tied once against UNK and have outscored them 15-3.
Fort Hays State: UCM leads 5-2-0
UCM and FHSU have played each other seven times dating back to 2011. FHSU handed UCM one of their two losses in 2015 when they defeated the Jennies 2-1 in Hays. UCM has outscored FHSU 11-8 in the series.
Scouting the Competition
Nebraska-Kearney
• The Lopers are 3-4-1 this season overall, and 0-1 in MIAA play after last week. The Lopers have wins against William Jewell, Augustana (S.D.), and Emporia State. Their only tie came in early September against Fort Hays State.
• The Lopers were picked to finish seventh this season in the MIAA Preseason Poll. They finished tied for sixth last season with a record of 5-10-4 overall and 4-5-2 in MIAA play.
• The Lopers return eight starters from last season, including 2015 All-MIAA selection Kadie Walaszczyk. Walaszcyk is one of three seniors on this year's team. The other two seniors are Kristyn Otter and Evie Sintek.
• Freshman Megan Merkel currently leads the Lopers in total offense with three points. She has one goal and one assist
• The Lopers are still looking for their for their first win in program history against the Jennies. The Lopers have only tied the Jennies once, with a 1-1 draw back in 2012.
Fort Hays State
• The Tigers are 5-2-1 this season overall, and sit 1-0 in MIAA play after last week. The Tigers two losses this season were against Emporia State and Washburn. Their only tie was against Nebraska-Kearney in mid September.
• The Tigers were picked to finish fourth for the second straight year in the MIAA Preseason Poll. They went 11-8-1 overall and 7-4 in the MIAA to finish fourth last season.
• The Tigers return 15 players and add 12 newcomers to this year's squad. Among those returners are three defenders, All-MIAA selections Hannah Smith, CheyAnn Queener, and Bailey Schmitz, as well as All-MIAA goalkeeper Kristen Thompson.
• Offensively, The Tigers are led by junior Eden Stoddard. She currently ranks second in the MIAA in goals and points at six and 10, respectively.
• The Tigers were ranked for the first time in program history at No. 16 in the NSCAA Top 25 Poll in week two, but fell out of the rankings after a 1-0 loss to Emporia State on Sept. 18.
• The Tigers handed the Jennies their first loss in 2015 with 2-1 home win on Oct. 4.
Numbers Never Lie
• The Jennies are 7-0 for the fifth time in program history. It is the first time in program history they have started 7-0 and posted shutouts in every game.
• The Jennies have been ranked in the top-five in all four regular season and the preseason NSCAA polls in 2016.
• The Jennies are the only remaining team in the MIAA and D-II who have held all their opponents scoreless this season.
• UCM has a combined record of 9-2-1 against both teams and has outscored them a combined 26-11.
• UCM has matched up with Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State since 2011, which is the shortest span against any MIAA opponent in program history.
The Best Offense is a Good Defense
• The Jennies have outscored their seven opponents a combined 16-0 and collected 23 saves this season.
• The Jennies are currently ranked first in the MIAA in goals allowed and shutouts with zero and seven, respectively.
• Offensively, the Jennies are ranked third in the MIAA in total points, goals, and scoring average with 25, 16, and 2.286 respectively.
• After notching six assists at Northwest Missouri, the Jennies rank tied for fourth in assists in the MIAA with 11.
