NKU freshman Jordan Grant
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team hits the road on Thursday for a contest at Ashland. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
NKU collected two wins in Great Lakes Valley Conference play last weekend, taking a 2-1 decision from Kentucky Wesleyan in double overtime on Friday before returning home to post a 4-1 win over Bellarmine on Sunday.
The Norse, ranked No. 2 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, are now 6-0 overall and 3-0 in GLVC play. NKU returns to conference action on Sunday afternoon at Indianapolis.
ABOUT THE EAGLES: Ashland brings a 2-1-2 mark into Thursday's matchup after going winless in its last three contests. James Livingston and Ross Ashley each have two goals to lead the team this season. The Eagles have gone to overtime in their last three consecutive matches, a first in program history.
THE LAST TIME AGAINST ASHLAND: NKU and Ashland met twice during the 2008 season, with the regular season meeting going down as a 1-1 draw. In the NCAA Midwest Regional, NKU scored three first-half goals off the efforts of
Braden Bishop,
Eric Ashworth and
Steven Beattie and held off Ashland's comeback attempt to post a 3-2 victory.
BEATTIE BREAKS THROUGH: After notching his third hat trick in as many seasons, junior scoring sensation
Steven Beattie has passed former All-American J.T. Roberts for No. 3 on the NKU all-time goal scoring list. Beattie now has 39 career goals, just seven short of Chad Scott's career record of 46.
STAYING THE COURSE: For the third straight week, NKU stayed at No. 2 in the NCAA Division II national poll. Tampa maintained the nation's top spot with a perfect 4-0 record, while Millersville, Cal State-Los Angeles and Lynn (Fla.) rounded out the top five. GLVC foe Drury is No. 13.
