NKU's Amanda Mason (4) prepares to head a ball down against the Cumberlands (Ky.) as teammates Claudia Bryant (22) and Kelly Sullivan (1) stand ready.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team opens the 2010 regular season on Friday against regional foe Findlay. The women's game is scheduled for 5 p.m., with the men following at 7:30 p.m.
The women were 19-2-1 last season and captured their seventh Great Lakes Valley Conference championship before advancing to the NCAA Midwest Regional championship game. The GLVC coaches have picked NKU to win its eighth GLVC championship this season.
The Norse return 10 of their 11 starters from last season, including the team's top four goal scorers and all four all-region honorees.
Amanda Mason will direct the attack once again after posting a team-best 10 goals last season, while
Danielle Hogue, who had 12 assists to pace the team, will return for her senior season as a winger.
Juniors
Laura Painter and
Kristi Hofmeyer will anchor the Norse defensive corps. Combined, the NKU defense allowed just 13 goals in 22 games last season, including 11 shutouts.
LAST TIME AGAINST FINDLAY: Hogue and
Ashley Warndorf combined on both goals in NKU's 2-0 win over Findlay in 2009. The Norse are undefeated and untied in nine games against the Oilers.
NATIONAL NOTICE: The Norse open the season at No. 9 in the NCAA Division II national preseason poll, down one spot from their finishing position in 2009. Defending national champion Grand Valley State assumes the nation's top spot.
HOME SWEET HOME: The NKU women will also look to keep its streak of 20 consecutive home wins intact. The Norse last tasted defeat in front of the home faithful on Oct. 28, 2007 in a 3-2 loss to Missouri-St. Louis. Since then, NKU has posted perfect home records in 2008 (8-0) and 2009 (12-0).
