CLAREMORE, Okla. — Rogers State Women's Soccer (4-1-2, 2-0-0 MIAA) defeated Nebraska-Kearney (2-4-2, 0-2-0 MIAA) 2-0 on Sunday at Soldier Field to collect their first-ever 2-0 start in MIAA play since joining the league in 2019. RSU scored once in each half and finished with 17 shots and five corner kicks while holding the Lopers scoreless on 15 shots.
With the win, RSU improves to 3-2-2 against UNK, snapping a two-game losing skid against the Lopers.
Khari Carreno (4) gave the Hillcats the breakthrough in the 19th minute, scoring the half's only goal to put RSU in front 1-0. Earlier, the Cats created an immediate look through
Bella Holland in the opening minute, then defended through a Lopers stretch that included a corner and three shots, with
Calais Butts saving Riley Jensen's attempt at 5:20. After Carreno's goal, RSU kept pressure on with five shots and a corner in the 21st and 27th minutes, including two attempts each from
Sophia Brandes and
Zoe Wehrman. The Lopers generated later chances, but Butts added another save on Kaiulani Nishigaya in the 35th minute, and the Hillcats took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Gabi Bedigrew (1) gave RSU the key second-half breakthrough with her first career goal in the 58th minute, scoring off Holland's assist to extend the lead to 2-0. Earlier, the Hillcats created steady pressure after the break, earning three corner kicks and taking five shots between 47:35 and 56:21, including two attempts by Wehrman. Butts kept the Lopers off the board with second-half saves at 53:46, 60:15 and 65:15, then added three more stops during a late stretch of pressure from UNK. RSU also generated chances after the goal, including shots from Brandes, Holland and
Katie Fisher, and closed out the half to finish a 2-0 win.
Carreno scored an unassisted goal that was credited as the game-winner. Bedigrew added a goal on two shots, putting one attempt on frame. Holland recorded an assist and finished with three shots, including one on goal. Butts (4-1-1) made eight saves over 90 minutes and finished with her second straight shutout.
RSU will head to Edmond next Friday at 7 p.m. to take on Central Oklahoma.
