GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Friday was the first time this season Western State Colorado University women's soccer played in the state of Colorado. The Mountaineers faced the University of Nebraska at Kearney at a neutral location in nearby Grand Junction, Colorado. Western was unable to keep the Lopers off the scoresheet, falling 1-0.
 
Western (0-2-1, 0-0 RMAC) got their best scoring opportunity out of the way in the second minute of the match. Jessica Kresl rattled a shot of the left post after shooting from 10-yards out, just to the right of the net.
 
UNK (2-0-1, 0-0 MIAA) began to take control of the match after Kresl's threatening shot. The Lopers outshot Western 8-3 in the first half.
 
UNK would have been ahead 1-0 at halftime had it not been for a great save by Katie Simpson-Johnson in the 24^th minute.
 
The second half was much of the first as the Lopers put pressure on the Mountaineer defense. UNK scored the game-winning goal in the 57^th minute after a cross from the right side of the pitch found Megan Merkel in the middle of the box. Merkel shot the ball into the left side netting, putting the Lopers ahead 1-0.
 
The Mountaineers would get a few more chances on quick breaks, playing Kresl over the top.
 
Kresl led all players with four shots and three shots on target.
 
Western keepers Simpson-Johnson and Eckhart split time in net. Eckhart came into the match for Simpson-Johnson at halftime.
 
The Lopers outshot Western 15-5 on Friday afternoon.
 
Western hosts Fort Lewis College on Sunday at 11 a.m. It will be the home and conference opener for the Mountaineers.