YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team unleashed a trio of goals in the first half as it defeated Youngstown State, 3-1, to win its first Horizon League match as a member of the League Friday night at Farmers National Bank Field.
With the victory, NKU improves to 5-1 on the season and 1-0 in the League. YSU slips to 4-5-1 overall and 0-1 in the League.
Sophomore forward
Jessica Frey sparked NKU's first-half momentum with a goal in the third minute. Frey fired her goal off the left post following an assist from
Sami Rutowski.
The defenses took over play until
Kelsey Laumann found sophomore
Macy Hamblin who launched a shot over YSU goalie Elizabeth Balgoyen from 25-yards out for the 2-0 edge in the 25th minute.
Five minutes later, sophomore
Morgan Shafer found the back of the net for her first goal of the season and third of her career after an assist from junior
Sam Davis. The goal gave NKU a 3-0 advantage at the half.
NKU fired eight shot attempts in the second half but the lead remained at 3-0 until Youngstown State spoiled the shutout bid, beating the horn for a goal in the 90th minute.
Kyler Lum scored the Penguins' lone goal and tied teammate Allison Green with a game-high three shot attempts.
Overall, NKU out-shot the Penguins, 14-9, and 4-2 on goal. Frey and
Aubrey Muench recorded three shots apiece.
Redshirt junior
Brooke Schocker recorded 78:54 minutes between the posts while freshman
Emily Lohmann logged 11:06 in her first collegiate appearance.
The Norse return to action Sunday when they host nonconference opponent Toledo at NKU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and will air on the Horizon League Network on ESPN3.
NORSE NOTES:- Frey has now been the first to score in three of NKU's six matches so far. Two of those goals have come in the first three minutes of play. The forward netted a goal in the third minute of the season opener against IPFW.
- NKU entered Friday's game with a League-leading goals per game average, and improved the mark to 2.83.
- Each of NKU's three goals were scored by a sophomore. The sophomore class is responsible for 21 of NKU's 51 total points.