WILDER, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team found their elusive offensive punch, pouring on Missouri S&T for a 6-1 victory in Great Lakes Valley Conference play on Sunday.
The Norse (5-1, 2-1 GLVC) got the scoring started in the 11th minute when
Kelly Sullivan, playing a very aggressive offensive position, took a through pass from
Kelly Snead and rifled a shot that S&T goalkeeper Kelsey Kurilla initially saved. Sullivan was able to clean up her own rebound to notch her third goal of the season.
The Miners (3-3-1, 1-2-1 GLVC) found an equalizer late in the first half when Melissa Young sent a through ball of her own ahead to Melia Miller, who took the ball off a defender's leg and put a shot off the left post and in for her third marker of the year.
Ashley Warndorf thought she may have had the difference maker in the 56th minute, rifling a shot into the top left side, however, the assistant referee raised his flag for the offside call. Warndorf still helped the winner in the 74th, sending a centering pass to
Lauren Franzen for her first goal of the season.
Franzen would strike again just two minutes later, turning a broken play into a goal when
Amanda Mason's initial shot was saved.
Brandi Doss picked up the rebound and slid it across to Franzen who banged it home for her second.
Sullivan added another goal shortly thereafter, as Franzen centered a pass for
Amanda Mason, who bounced it up and allowed Sullivan to lob a header past the S&T keeper for her second of the game.
Jessica Page and
Kara Costello tallied goals late to get the 6-1 final score.
Angela Healy had three saves to take the victory, while Kelsey Kurilla and Stacey Luquette combined for 13 saves for the Miners.
The Norse have now scored five or more goals in three of their six games this season, all of which ended in NKU victories. The win helps the Norse stay among the leaders in the GLVC heading into another tough conference weekend.
Northern Kentucky will take to the road to face the defending GLVC champions Drury and Rockhurst next weekend.
