Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Atlantic Sun Week 10 Notes

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team will conclude the season on Saturday with a trip to Nashville, Tenn., to face Lipscomb.  Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.

NKU, which is ineligible for postseason play as the program transitions to the NCAA Division I level, enters the final match in its inaugural season as a Division I program with a 5-11 overall record, 2-6 in Atlantic Sun Conference play.  The Norse split a pair of conference games last weekend.  East Tennessee State posted a 2-1 victory over NKU on Friday, but the Norse rebounded with a 2-0 win against USC Upstate on Sunday afternoon.

Megan Frye led the Norse offense with two goals on the weekend.  She tied the ETSU game at 1-all in the 22nd minute before the Buccaneers scored the game-winning goal.  Jaclyn Elmore put NKU on the scoreboard first on Sunday against Upstate before Frye sealed the victory for the Norse with her goal.

NKU has never faced Lipscomb in women's soccer.

Live stats and video will be available for Saturday night's action at nkunorse.com.

ABOUT LIPSCOMB:  Lipscomb is 2-10-4 overall and 0-6-2 in the Atlantic Sun after dropping 1-0 decisions to ETSU and Upstate last weekend.  The Lady Bisons earned a 2-0 win over Jackson State to begin the season and a 1-0 victory against Austin Peay on Aug. 28.

Baylee Linnell leads the Lady Bisons offense in total points, goals and assists.  She has collected ten points on four goals and two assists while starting every match this season.  Molly Bray has also started every game for Lipscomb and scored three goals on the year.

Erin Zerio has played every minute in goal this season for the Lady Bisons.  She has collected 101 saves, 12th best in the nation, and four shutouts this season.  Zerio currently ranks eighth on the Atlantic Sun career saves list with 341.

FAMILIAR COMPETITION:  Both NKU and Lipscomb have faced off against Xavier this season with similar outcomes.

On Aug. 20, Xavier defeated Lipscomb, 2-1, in Cincinnati.  Alex Hickey scored the lone Lady Bisons goal in the 31st minute.  Mariah Whitaker led the Musketeers with the game-winning goal and an assist, while goalie Katie Markesbery, who ranks No. 7 in the nation in saves, collected three saves.

NKU dropped a 1-0 decision in overtime to Xavier on Sept. 4.  With less than three minutes remaining in overtime, Margaret Woods' shot from 18 yards out deflected off goalie Cassie Lingenhoel into the back of the net for the win.  Kelsey Zwergel led all players with five shot attempts.

CLOSE CALLS:  The Norse have had 15 games this season decided by two goals or less.  Eleven games have been decided by one goal, including three of NKU's five victories.  The Norse have only surrendered more than two goals three times this season.

THEY SAID IT

Head coach Bob Sheehan

On Megan Frye's two goals: “Megan had a beautiful goal against East Tennessee State on Friday night.  Maria (Silbersack) won the ball in the midfield and played it to Sarah (Smith).  Sarah put the ball in one time behind, and Meganbeat the keeper with a beautiful goal.  Her goal on Sunday was off a corner kick.  Jaclyn Elmore did really well to play it to Megan, and Megan had another great strike for the second goal.”

On Friday's match against East Tennessee State: “They had a couple really special players, including a gal from the Austrian national team and another gal that played on her national team as well.  They were very good, very composed, again had a couple of girls with national experience and very comfortable on the ball.  It was good to see a team with that kind of talent, and to hold them to two goals was a good performance from us.”

On Jaclyn Elmore's performance on Sunday: “She was really heady.  The ball popped out to Jaclyn, and she was probably 25 yards out and saw the keeper off her line.  Again, it started with Maria.  She did well to get in behind and get a breakaway with the keeper, and the ball popped out.  The keeper was on the ground, and Jaclyn was very aware and just chipped it in.  It was a beautiful goal by Jaclyn.”

On the final match of the season against Lipscomb: “We are (looking to finish strong).  If we finish on a two game winning streak, I think that will give us a little momentum and some confidence.  It has been a great group of girls regardless of Saturday's outcome.  We've really competed virtually every game.  The team morale has been outstanding, and the team chemistry has been outstanding.  There have been a lot of positive things.  It looks like we will win another national team ethics award, and hopefully, we are going to win another national academic award.  It has been a great group of girls in that regard.  They have been a special group.”