Box score
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – David Geno scored a goal and assisted on two others as East Tennessee State University defeated Northern Kentucky University, 3-0, on Friday evening.
The Norse (5-8-1, 2-1-1 Atlantic Sun) suffered their first loss in A-Sun play. The Buccaneers (8-5-2, 4-1-0 A-Sun) improved to 6-1-1 at home this season. NKU was outshot, 14-5, with nine of ETSU's shots coming in the second half. The Norse ranked third in the Atlantic Sun in corner kicks per match coming into tonight, but failed to take one against the Buccaneers.
NKU kept ETSU's high-powered offense quiet in the first half, but the Buccaneers broke through in the 52nd minute. Alesi Osorio started a break on the far side of the field and slid a pass to Geno, who beat Norse keeper
A.J. Fleak to the near post, giving ETSU the 1-0 advantage. It was Geno's conference-leading 11th goal of the season.
Just more than five minutes later, the Buccaneers found their second goal. Geno sent in a cross into the 18-yard box, and it met the feet of Franck Doumbe, whose shot to the near post extended the ETSU lead to 2-0. Osorio got on the score sheet in the 66th minute when he received a back heel pass from Geno and finished in front of the goal for the final tally.
The Norse offense generated five shots and forced ETSU keeper Ryan Coulter to make three saves.
Brendan Murphy and
Mohammad Salhieh each tied for the team lead with two shots apiece. Both of Salhieh's shots were on goal. Fleak made three saves, and substitute
Toby Frohlich added another.
“ETSU was very composed and very athletic,” said head coach
John Basalyga. “They are a very good team.”
NKU's road trip was a short one, as the Norse return home to the NKU Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon to host Stetson. Kickoff against the Hatters is scheduled for 1 p.m.
(Photos courtesy of East Tennessee State University)
