SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The streak is over.
A strike from three yards out by Drury's Micah Whorton in the 96th minute gave Drury a 3-2 overtime victory over the Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team on Friday night, the first regular-season loss in 742 days for the top-ranked Norse.
The loss was as big for No. 1 NKU (7-1, 3-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference) as the win was for Drury (8-0, 5-0 GLVC). The defeat snapped a 29-game regular-season winning streak as well as a 19-game road unbeaten streak, which dated back to Oct. 30, 2005, when the Norse fell to Indianapolis, 2-1.
The game also marked the first time NKU has surrendered three or more goals to an opponent since a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Rockhurst on neutral ground in the 2005 GLVC Tournament.
The Panthers started the scoring late in the first half when Steve Wilczewski took a pass from Ben Nabers and put in a shot in from five yards to tally his ninth goal of the season. The goal would hold through intermission, as the Norse were outshot 9-2 in the first half.
NKU's
Braden Bishop found his scoring touch in the 55th minute, taking a through-ball from
Seth Eckerlin to put a shot past Drury's Logan Hoffman for his second goal of the season.
Dustin Downey put the Norse ahead just five minutes later with his first of the season off a crossing pass from
Anthony Meyer.
Ben Taylor drew the game level once again in the 82nd minute off a free kick following a caution assessed to
Steven Beattie.
After calling a combined 20 fouls in the first half, the referee went to his book in an effort to retake control of the game, charging seven yellow cards and one red in the second half and overtime period.
Mike Jonca, booked for his second caution of the game in the 92nd minute, was sent off the pitch to put the Norse a man down in extra time.
The Panthers were able to take advantage four minutes later with the game-winning tally.
Hoffman made one save for Drury in the win, while NKU's
Michael Lavric stopped two shots.
NKU will look to rebound on Sunday when the Norse travel to face No. 20 Rockhurst.
