ASHLAND, Ohio – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team played undefeated Ashland to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night. The Norse were able to halt Ashland's bid for a perfect season with the tie, but NKU could not find the net during overtime to hand the Eagles their first loss.
The contest between Midwest Region titans – NKU (10-1-2) is ranked third in the region and 13th nationally, while Ashland (12-0-1) is the region's top-ranked team and the No. 6 squad in Division II – was a stark contrast to their meeting from last season, when the Norse dominated during an 8-2 decision.
Ashland opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Adam Spannbauer, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's leading scorer, notched his 15th marker of the season from 12 yards out.
NKU responded defensively, with its physical play leading to three yellow cards against the Norse in the first half. The Eagles did not back down, however, getting booked for three yellow cards of their own during the second stanza.
Braden Bishop, a 2007 All-American, found the equalizer in the 54th minute off a strong throw-in by Anthony Meyer. Bishop snuck into the crowd and buried a header from four yards out to earn his fourth goal of the season.
The Norse had an opportunity at the golden goal in the first overtime period with a free kick in their attacking end, but Eagles' goalkeeper Ryan Cruise was up to the task, making his seventh save of the night to preserve the stalemate. Michael Lavric had five saves in net for NKU.
The Norse are winless (0-2-1) in their last three trips to Ashland dating back to 2003, but still lead the all-time series against the Eagles, 3-2-1.
NKU returns to Great Lakes Valley Conference action this weekend, traveling to face Kentucky Wesleyan on Friday before taking on Bellarmine on Sunday.
The final game of the regular season will take place on Oct. 26 when the Norse host Indianapolis. The GLVC Tournament begins on Nov. 2, with quarterfinal games taking place at the home sites of the top four seeds.
