NKU men's soccer is seeking its first win against UMSL since 2008.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky men's soccer team returns home to the NKU Soccer Stadium for the final time during the 2011 regular season on Friday when the Norse welcome in Great Lakes Valley Conference opponent Missouri-St. Louis. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The Norse conclude the weekend with a home contest against Maryville on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Live audio/stats links for both matches can be found at nkunorse.com.
NKU (12-2, 10-2 GLVC) picked up two victories last weekend, including a come-from-behind thriller against Illinois Springfield. On Friday, the Norse defeated Quincy 1-0 behind a goal from
Anthony Meyer in the 82nd minute. On Sunday, NKU needed a late rally to defeat the Prairie Stars 2-1.
Brodie Steigerwald scored the tying goal in the 71st minute and
Michael Bartlett netted the game winner in the 77th minute.
A WORD ABOUT MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS: The Tritons enter Friday's contest with an overall record of 7-4-3, and a 6-4-2 mark in the GLVC. UMSL picked up two wins last weekend, beating Kentucky Wesleyan and Southern Indiana.
Last season, Missouri-St. Louis upset the Norse 2-1 in St. Louis. That loss on Oct. 22 ended up being the final setback NKU suffered on its way to a Division II national championship. UMSL holds the edge in the all-time series, 10-7-3, and has won the last two meetings between the teams.
A WORD ABOUT MARYVILLE: The Saints enter this weekend's matches with 4-10-1 record, and a 3-9 mark in the GLVC. Maryville is coming off a 5-1 win over Kentucky Wesleyan. Earlier this season, they upset Missouri S&T, 2-0.
Last season, the Norse dispatched the Saints 7-1 on the road. NKU has won both previous meetings between the teams by a combined 12-1 score.
POSTSEASON SCENARIO: With a win on Friday, NKU will secure not only a spot in the GLVC Tournament, but a first-round home game. The quarterfinal round will be played next weekend at the campus sites of the top four seeds. The highest remaining seed will host the semifinals and championship on Nov. 4-6.
ATOP THE GLVC…: With a conference record of 10-2, the Norse find themselves alone atop the GLVC table. Rockhurst follows with a record of 9-2-1, but the Norse own the head-to-head matchup with the Hawks. Indianapolis, who defeated the Norse on Oct. 9, are one game back at 9-3 after losing to Missouri S&T and Drury this past weekend.
…AND THE REGION: NKU was ranked No. 1 when the first official NCAA Division II regional rankings were released on Wednesday. The top four teams at the end of the regular season will be invited to the NCAA Tournament, with the highest seed afforded the opportunity to host the regional tournament.
NKU has hosted the NCAA Midwest regional tournament twice in program history, in 2008 and 2010. NKU claimed regional championships in each of those seasons.
UP ONE PLACE: NKU finds themselves ranked No. 6 in the lastest NCAA Division II national poll. That is up one spot from last week.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior defender
Anthony Meyer was named the GLVC Player of the Week in men's soccer for his efforts against Quincy and Illinois Springfield. Meyer scored the only goal against the Hawks, and set up the winning score against the Prairie Stars. He becomes the second NKU player to win the award this season.
Mohammad Salhieh was crowned Player of the Week back on Sept. 12.
OFFENSIVE DEFENDERS: The Norse have done a great job of spreading the offense around to all 11 players on the pitch, including the “Norse Wall.” NKU defenders
Anthony Meyer,
Tommy Barrick,
Ian O'Reilly, and
Kevin Donnelly have combined to score eight of NKU's 37 goals this season.
