Northern Kentucky University Athletics

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team will open up Great Lakes Valley Conference play on Friday when the Norse welcome Kentucky Wesleyan to the NKU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

NKU (2-0, 0-0 GLVC) will travel to Evansville, Ind. on Sunday to take on Southern Indiana and wrap up the weekend.

The Norse are coming off an extremely successful opening week to the regular season, outscoring their opponents 16-1 in two wins. NKU defeated Findlay on the road 7-1, and opened their home schedule with a 9-0 win over Tiffin, an NCAA Tournament qualifier in 2010.

LAST TIME AGAINST KENTUCKY WESLEYAN: The Norse defeated the Panthers 4-0 at home on Sept. 12th. Amanda Mason netted a hat trick, putting all three of her shots on goal into the back of the net. Megan Frye added a goal and an assist. CG Bryant had two assists of her own. Rachael Wood recorded the shutout, having to make just one save. NKU has won all 14 meetings against KWC.

LAST TIME AGAINST USI: NKU shutout Southern Indiana 3-0 at home back on Sept. 3rd last season. Kristi Hofmeyer scored a goal in the win. Amanda Mason, Hannah Wissel, and Kathryn Hale each recorded assists. Rachael Wood shutout the Screaming Eagles by making three saves. The Norse outshot USI 15-4 in the contest.  NKU is 12-4 all-time against USI.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: The Norse combined to score 16 goals last weekend against regional foes Findlay and Tiffin. The offensive output was the most for an NKU team over a two-game stretch since 2001, when the Norse bagged 18 goals in wins over West Virginia Wesleyan (6-1) and Wheeling Jesuit (12-0).

IN THE POLLS: The Norse soared into the top 10, vaulting eight spots from No. 17 to move to No. 9 in the latest NCAA Division II national poll. GLVC foe Quincy also made it into the top 25, ranking at No. 13 as voted on by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

VOLKER PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Freshman forward Stacie Volker was named the GLVC's women's soccer player of the week. The Seton grad tallied nine points in the Norse's two victories. She netted a hat trick in the 9-0 win over Tiffin on Sunday. Volker had the opening goal against Findlay, and also added an assist.

MASON DISHES IT OUT: Senior Amanda Mason tied the school record with four assists in the 9-0 win over Tiffin. She helped setup two of Voker's goals, as well as goals by Allison Ponzer and Kelsey Laumann.

REACHING FOR 250: Head coach Bob Sheehan needs 12 wins this season to reach the 250-win mark at NKU. The only head coach in NKU program history; he enters this weekend with a coaching record of 238-51-16. Sheehan entered the season ranked eighth all-time among Division II coaches for wins, with each of the top eight being active coaches.