After making the MIAA conference tournament for the first time since 2015, the UNK soccer team fell to No. 2 seed Missouri Western 1-0 on Sunday. At 8-6-5, the Lopers had one of the best seasons in their 15-year program history.
UNK, picked to finish 10th in the MIAA in the preseason, defeated Fort Hays State on Wednesday 2-1 to secure a seventh-place finish in the conference standings.
“I am very proud of the season we had,” senior Katie Pagel said. “We showcased what kind of team we are. While there were a couple of low points, we fought our way into playoff contention and did something that hadn’t been done in several years. We proved just how good we can be to the rest of the conference.”
After finishing last in the MIAA in 2021 and 2022, coach Rob Breton led the squad back to the conference tournament after a nine-year hiatus in his third season.
“When I got here, there are kids in this state that looked at this as not even a backup option [but] as if I have nothing else option,” Breton said. “Now, we have kids that play at some of the highest levels in the state that are looking at us and genuinely looking at us and coming on visits.”
Both goals in the match against Fort Hays State were scored by junior, Hanna Schimmer. Schimmer finished the season as the first Loper to score ten goals in a season.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better first season here at UNK,” Schimmer said. “We really did leave everything on the field every single game, and I think we still have growing to do as a program, but this season was a huge stepping stone.”
On Sunday, the Lopers were outpaced by Missouri Western. The Griffins scored the only goal of the game in the sixth minute and held UNK to one shot on goal.
“The reality is this is what’s happened and one of the hard parts about the game, but it’s also a great part about the game,” Breton said. “There is no draw, especially when it comes down to playoffs. You either win or you lose. It’s only a loss if you don’t learn from it.”
Despite the loss, UNK broke numerous records during the season, including shots and shots on goal.
“New standards have been set across the board,” Breton said. “That’s the way we’re going to view it. Playoffs (are) now no longer hopes and dreams. Playoffs are standards; we should be competing for playoffs every single year.”
The program will now say goodbye to six seniors, including Dolcie Hanlon, who became the fifth player in school history to reach 6,000 minutes played.
“It has been a privilege to play soccer at UNK for the past four years,” Hanlon said. “Watching this program grow and earning the respect we have today has been incredible.”
The Lopers will now look to use the offseason to improve and build off the fall season.
“There’s tons that we can continue to strive for, and yes, this is huge,” Breton said. It’s a great step. It’s awesome. We love it. I very much celebrate what we’ve done. I’m also hungry for more.”
