COLORADO SPRINGS - The University of Colorado Colorado Springs Mountain Lions came from behind for a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers Friday evening at Mountain Lion Stadium.

The streaking Mountain Lions have thrived in the second-half of games recently as Friday's win marked the team's third come-from-behind victory in as many games. The win also extends UCCS' current winning streak to three, marking the second time the Mountain Lions have won three in a row this season.

"A comeback win is always great. My team apparently loves to come back so that's always great that the girls can rally," said UCCS coach Nichole Ridenour. "We had a couple of players step up big and come into the game ready to lead this team, a couple returners are finally coming back into health and that's awesome."

Before most fans had even settled into their seats, UNK scored. In the seventh minute, Raliegh Mercer drove home a free kick from 30 yards out for the Lopers. The goal was Mercer's team leading sixth on the season.

True to form, the Mountain Lions turned things around in the second half, though, beginning with a well-executed, give-and-go by Lindsey Birdseye and Hannah Levett resulting in beautiful left-footed shot by Birdseye's for a goal in the 69th minute. The assist was Levett's third this season.

As UCCS continued to press for scoring chances late in the match, it was senior captain Meghan Royer's sharp angle shot from 20 yards out in the 84th minute that gave the Mountain Lions the win on this night.

"We had just got called on an off-sides call and we just needed to keep the pressure up high," said Royer, "and I got the ball and I just went at goal and hopefully took a chance and it went in."

UCCS' Agnes Arnadottir got credit for an assist on Royer's goal as she provided the long accurate pass necessary for Royer to get room for the shot.

The Mountain Lions took almost twice as many shots as the Lopers with a final count of 20-11 shots taken. UNK goalkeeper Marissa Niday did a quality job in net with eight saves in the losing effort.

The win moves UCCS (7-3, 3-3 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) into sixth-place in the RMAC, while the loss drops UNK (3-7, 1-5-1 RMAC) to tenth.