CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Northern Kentucky women's soccer team saw its season-opening four-game win streak come to a close on Friday night, falling to Illinois at Illinois Soccer Stadium, 1-0.

Redshirt junior goalkeeper Brooke Shocker issued a stellar performance in goal, facing 27 shots and totaling a season-high seven saves with one goal allowed.

The Illini broke through the Norse defense in the 37th minute when Illinois' Hope D'Addario scored off a free kick from the far left side. The Illinois lead stuck at halftime.

After struggling to fire a shot in opening half, NKU's offense managed four in the second half, two on goal. Three of NKU's four shots, including one shot on goal, were posted by sophomore forward Macy Hamblin.

Looking for the equalizer, junior midfielder Sami Rutowski initiated a Norse scoring attack with a shot on goal in the 55th minute. Illinois goalkeeper Claire Wheatley deflected the ball out of bounds, setting up an NKU corner kick. Freshman Brianna Frondorf took the set piece, feeding it inside for Hamblin's second shot attempt of the game.

Schocker remained strong late in the game, with a pair of saves in the 85th and 86th minute to hold the Illini to one goal.

The Norse are back in action on Friday, Sept. 18 when they travel to Youngstown State to open Horizon League play for the first time. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. First National Bank Field.

NORSE NOTES:

• The Illini's goal was the first allowed by the Norse defense in 331 minutes of play, as NKU shut out its previous three opponents.
• At 4-1, the Norse will open conference action with a winning record for the second-straight season.
• Schocker's 27 shots faced is tied for a career-high, matching her 27 shots faced in a shut-out performance against Lipscomb in the 2014 season.