Northern Kentucky University Athletics

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Top 25 men's soccer teams will collide this weekend when No. 12 Northern Kentucky University travels to face No. 3 Drury for a Great Lakes Valley Conference showdown on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Eastern.

NKU will wrap up the weekend with a visit to Missouri S&T on Sunday.

The Norse (11-2-1, 8-2-0 GLVC) took a pair of key conference wins last weekend, defeating Quincy, 2-0, and Rockhurst, 4-1. Braden Bishop scored three of NKU's six goals on the weekend, while Steven Beattie had two goals and two assists.

A WORD ABOUT DRURY: The undefeated Panthers are rolling and have allowed just five goals on the season. After posting nine consecutive shutouts, Drury has given up a goal in each of its last three games, including a 2-1 overtime thriller at Bellarmine last weekend. Goalkeeper Stephen Conner ranks seventh in the nation with a 0.41 goals allowed average while Micah Whorton and Steve Wilczewski pace the offense with 10 goals each, tied for third in the GLVC. Drury has already clinched a spot in the GLVC Tournament.

LAST TIME AGAINST DRURY: Drury spoiled NKU's chance at a second straight perfect regular season, when Micah Whorton's golden goal from three yards out sent the Panthers to a 3-2 overtime victory. It was the first win for Drury in the all-time series, which NKU leads, 3-1.

A WORD ABOUT MISSOURI S&T: The Miners, at 6-3-1 in conference, are in fourth place and fighting for a GLVC Quarterfinal home game. S&T has won its last four games, including a 5-0 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan. The Miners build their game around defense, with goalkeeper Pat McNamee boasting a 0.71 goals allowed average while 12 different Miners have scored goals this season, and none more than two.

LAST TIME AGAINST MISSOURI S&T: A Steven Beattie goal in the 87th minute sent NKU to the GLVC semifinals with a 1-0 victory over S&T. NKU dominated the offense, outshooting S&T by a 15-4 margin, with nine of NKU's 15 shots going on net. NKU holds a slight edge in the all-time series, 7-6, and has won six of the last seven meetings.

RECORDS READY TO FALL: A pair of NKU strikers are poised to stand atop the career goal scoring list as Steven Beattie enters the weekend with 45 goals and Braden Bishop with 42. Chad Scott still holds the all-time record with 46 career goals from 1992-1995.

REGIONAL RANKINGS: NKU held steady this week in the NCAA Division II regional rankings, still at No. 3 in the Midwest Region. Drury stands No. 1, while Ashland is the No. 2 team. The top four teams in the Midwest Region will be invited to the NCAA Tournament.

SHOW ME TO SPRINGFIELD: Friday will mark the fifth meeting between NKU and Drury, with four of those five meetings occurring on Drury's home pitch in Springfield, Mo. NKU won the only meeting between the teams in Wilder, Ky.