Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Box score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team ended its inaugural season as an NCAA Division I program on a positive note Saturday night with a 5-2 victory over Atlantic Sun Conference foe Lipscomb.

Megan Frye and Maria Silbersack each collected two goals and an assist to lead the Norse, who dominated possession throughout the game.

NKU (6-11 overall, 3-6 in the Atlantic Sun) struck quickly with a goal by Frye in the first minute.  Frye earned possession of the ball off a free kick and sent a shot past Lipscomb goalie Erin Zerio.  Kelsey Zwergel and Allison Ponzer were credited with assists on the play.

Less than five minutes later, Silbersack extended the NKU lead to 2-0.  Silbersack beat her defender in front of the goal, and her shot found the back of the net.  Frye and Hannah Adams assisted on the goal.

An own goal by Lipscomb gave the Norse a 3-0 advantage in the 54th minute, and Silbersack netted her second marker of the game less than a minute later to stretch the NKU lead to 4-0.  Ponzer collected her second assist of the night on the play, and Kathryn Hale was also credited with an assist.

Molly Bray sent a free kick past NKU goalie Cassie Lingenhoel, who took over in goal at the half, to cut the Norse lead to 4-1.

Frye added her second goal of the game in the 66th minute to stretch the lead to 5-1.  Silbersack earned an assist on the play when her shot attempt was deflected by Zerio, but Frye got to ball quickly and sent the ball into the back of the net before Zerio had a chance to recover.

An own goal by NKU in the 67th minute made up the final margin of victory for NKU.

“We were very pleased to end our season on such a positive note,” NKU head coach Bob Sheehan said.  “It was a special tribute to our seniors tonight in their last match for NKU.  They all played extremely well, and it was special to see them end their senior season on a high note.  All of our girls played really well tonight.  They've worked so hard, and it was great to finish strong like this.”

The Norse outshot Lipscomb by a 24-11 margin, while the defense limited the Lady Bisons to just five shots on goal for the night.

NKU, which is ineligible for postseason play as part of the Division I transition, ended the season by winning its final two games.  Tonight's win follows a 2-0 victory against USC Upstate on Sunday.

Frye collected six goals and three assists for 15 total points on the season to lead the Norse, followed by Silbersack with 12 points on four goals and four assists.

Lipscomb ended its season with a 2-11-4 overall record, 0-7-2 in the Atlantic Sun.