KENOSHA, Wis. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team saw its season come on an end on Sunday after dropping a 1-0 decision at Wisconsin-Parkside in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
It marked the third time the Norse (16-4) lost to the Rangers this season. NKU's only other loss was a 1-0 defeat at Rockhurst on Sept. 28.
UW-Parkside picked up the difference maker in the 27th minute, when Meredith Novak notched her 15th goal of the season with assists from Amanda VandenAvond and Caitlin Moon. Novak scored goals in each of the three meetings between the Rangers and Norse in 2008.
The Norse were outshot overall in the race, 10-7, but edged the Rangers in shots on goal by a 7-4 margin. Despite that, Ranger goalkeeper Cassie Glodowski was on point, making seven saves for the shutout victory.
The loss ends NKU's first run at the NCAA Tournament since 2005 and eighth overall. The last time the Norse advanced out of the regional was 2003, when NKU fell to Nebraska-Omaha in the national quarterfinals, 1-0.
NKU head coach Bob Sheehan finished the season having notched his 200th career win on Friday against Rockhurst. He owns a career record of 200-47-13, maintaining his winning percentage of .794 to keep him among the top 10 active coaches in Division II.
It is the second time since joining the Great Lakes Valley Conference that UW-Parkside has advanced to the round of 16. In 2004, the Rangers defeated Grand Valley State, 1-0, in the opening round of the tournament before falling to Ashland by the same score.
