burdkl@lopers.unk.edu
The UNK women’s soccer team played its final game of the season against Emporia State on Saturday. For five seniors, this was the last time stepping on the field in a Loper jersey.
While Emporia ultimately ended up with a 4-1 victory, senior Kylee Moore still had a memorable moment in the 15th minute. Moments after the Hornets’ first goal, Moore hammered the equalizer into the back of the net off an assist from Caralee Legg, tying the game 1-1.
This was Moore’s first goal of the season, and it was certainly a special one, coming at Foster Field in her final game for UNK.
“What a moment for Kylee Moore, a senior, to score at home in her last game,” said UNK coach Chloe Roberts. “That’s a moment you’ll remember forever. Those are the moments sometimes that you remember more than wins and losses.”
In the 33rd minute, senior Bridget Barker almost had a memorable moment of her own when she was in scoring position. She took the shot, but it bounced off the crossbar, just inches away from giving UNK a 2-1 lead. Emporia countered with a goal to take the lead and they remained in control for the rest of the game.
While the season didn’t go as planned, the seniors still have achieved a lot in their careers.
“They’ve done a lot for this program and that’s something they should be so proud of,” Roberts said. “It’s more than wins and losses; it’s about life lessons and dealing with adversity that you’ve dealt with in the four years.”
The five Loper seniors have not only improved their skills on the field throughout their time at UNK, but have also learned valuable lessons that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
“You grow so much as a player and as a person,” Roberts said. “I’ve seen the growth in them from the day that I recruited them to now. They’ve grown into incredible young women and they’re going to be missed.”
Following the game, all five seniors, Barker, Kassidy Kirsch, Megan Cook, Moore and Perla Navarro were honored for their dedication and contributions.
“Overall, I’m really happy with the team, but this day is for the seniors, more than the result at this point,” Roberts said. “This was a day for them, and they did everything they could to help this team win over their four years here.”
