NKU's Steven Beattie (5) celebrates after scoring a goal last season.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team begins the season Friday at 7:30 p.m. by hosting West Virginia Wesleyan in the seventh annual John Toebben Classic at Wilder, Ky.
The broadcast of Friday's game against West Virginia Wesleyan can be heard live at www.nkunorse.com. NKU will conclude the John Toebben Classic next Sunday by facing Lake Erie at 4 p.m.
CLASSIC BACKGROUND: The John Toebben Classic is named in honor of the former NKU head coach who passed away in April 2003 after a seven-month battle with cancer. Toebben led NKU to Great Lakes Valley Conference championships in 1992, '93 and '95.
Toebben guided NKU to a 137-105-15 record in 13 seasons as the head coach. He was also named GLVC Coach of the Year twice in his career.
NATION'S ELITE: NKU is ranked No. 4 nationally in the NCAA Division II preseason poll. The Norse posted a 16-3-4 record last year and advanced to the national semifinals.
NKU is also picked to win the GLVC in the preseason poll.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER: NKU welcomes back reigning NCAA Division II National Player of the Year
Steven Beattie, who netted 21 goals last season. The Norse also return senior striker
Braden Bishop, who scored eight goals last fall.
T&C ADVANTAGE: NKU posted a 10-0 record at the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder last season. The Norse enter this weekend having won 23 consecutive regular-season contests at home.
NKU has not lost at home since a 2-1 setback to Lincoln Memorial in the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals on Nov. 12, 2006.
STRONG PRESEASON: NKU knocked off two Division I opponents in exhibition play during the past 10 days. The Norse posted a 3-0 win against Marshall on Aug. 20 and later knocked off IUPUI, 2-0, on Aug. 22.
THE LAST TIME AGAINST WEST VA. WESLEYAN: On Aug. 29, 2008,
Steven Beattie's goal in the 105th minute gave NKU a 2-1 overtime victory at West Virginia Wesleyan. Beattie's goal, a 30-yard blast off an assist from
Tony Ray, allowed the Norse to open the season with a win.
REMEMBER THIS?: On Sept. 3, 2000, NKU and West Virginia Wesleyan put on an offensive show at the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder. West Virginia Wesleyan rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the in the final 25 minutes of regulation in that game to pull out a 6-5 win in overtime.
The Bobcats, who were ranked No. 5 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll going into that game, tied the contest in the 85th minute and pulled out the victory two minutes into overtime.
