Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Box score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Caitlin Moon tapped in a shot at the 87:19 mark to give Wisconsin-Parkside a 3-2 victory against Northern Kentucky University in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship game Sunday.

With less than three minutes left in regulation, NKU goalie Rachael Wood mishandled the ball after making a diving stop of a Wisconsin-Parkside attempt, giving Moon an open shot from just in front of the net. She finished with her first goal of the season to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead with 2:41 remaining in the contest, and 17th-ranked Wisconsin-Parkside (16-2-1) held on to win the GLVC title.

The loss snapped NKU's winning streak at 11 and prevented the Norse (16-2-1) from repeating as GLVC Tournament champions. NKU's other loss this season also came to Wisconsin-Parkside, a 2-1 overtime setback on Sept. 24 at Somers, Wis.

With just more than 12 minutes remaining, NKU appeared to be on its way to repeating as GLVC champions. The Norse owned a 2-1 lead and had controlled play much of the contest, but Wisconsin-Parkside evened the score at the 77:52 mark when Stephanie Barsuli sent a 12-yard shot into the back of the net.

Megan Frye and Amanda Mason scored first-half goals as NKU took a 2-1 advantage at intermission. Frye struck in the opening minutes of play (3:45 mark) by finishing off a cross from Hannah Wissel that was set up by a pass from Mason. It was Frye's sixth goal of the season.

Wisconsin-Parkside tied the score at 1-all six minutes later when Natalie Brown netted a goal after a scramble in the box. Mason, however, countered at the 29:16 mark with her 17th goal of the season with a shot that was assisted by Allison Ponzer.

NKU, which is ranked No. 5 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, finished with a 13-7 advantage in shot attempts. The Norse also owned an 8-7 edge in corner kicks.

Pairings for the NCAA Division II Tournament will be announced Monday, and NKU is expected to receive a berth in the event. The Norse are ranked third in the latest NCAA Division II Midwest Region poll.