JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –
Craig Heard's goal in the 86th minute broke a 1-all tie and helped give the Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team the 2-1 victory over North Florida on Friday night.
The Norse (4-7-1, 1-0-1 Atlantic Sun) outshot the Ospreys (3-9, 0-3 Atlantic Sun) by a 16-10 margin. NKU, which entered play Friday fourth in the A-Sun in corner kicks per match, took seven in the match. Both keepers were pressed early on in the contest to make key saves. The Norse put eight of their shots on goal, while the Ospreys had six shots on frame.
NKU opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. From a set piece,
Nick Toney fed a ball into the 18-yard box, and the ball bounced to the feet of
Ian O'Reilly, who deposited the ball inside the far post. It was O'Reilly's first goal of the season and gave the Norse the 1-0 advantage.
North Florida drew level in the 78th minute. Teddy Mulamba got through the stout NKU defense and was able to score inside the penalty box to tie the game at 1-all.
With the game appearing to be headed for overtime, the Norse found a late goal. In the 86th minute.
Kevin Walker received a pass and began a counter-attack. He dribbled into a two-on-three breakaway, and fed a pass to Heard. UNF keeper Brad Sienkiewicz came out of the six-yard box, and Heard sent the ball past him, and into the back of the net, giving NKU the 2-1 advantage.
The Ospreys had a chance to tie in the closing seconds of the match, but Norse keeper
A.J. Fleak saved Alex Morrell's shot to keep the NKU lead, and nail down the win. Fleak ended up making five saves in the contest.
NKU head coach
John Basalyga was pleased with the win. “Both teams were evenly matched. They battled, and we got the last punch in, and were able to hang on.”
The Norse will stay in Jacksonville, Fla., and will take on the Dolphins of Jacksonville University on Sunday. The match is slated for a noon kickoff.
