Photo gallery |
Box score |
Video highlights
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Danielle Gray's goal in the 79th minute gave Kennesaw State a 1-0 victory over the Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team on Friday night at the NKU Soccer Stadium.
Jewelia Strickland created the scoring opportunity for Gray by sending a corner kick into the box right in front of the goal. Gray gained control of the ball and pushed her shot past NKU goalie
Stephanie Glass. Gray now has seven goals on the season.
“We knew they were terrific on restarts, and credit to them for using their strengths,” NKU head coach
Bob Sheehan said. “Good teams find a way to win, and Kennesaw State was able to do that.”
Kelsey Laumann and
Jordan Hodge both had opportunities in the first half to put the Norse on the scoreboard, but the Kennesaw State defense stopped their chances.
In the 19th minute, Laumann got past her defender to create NKU's first shot attempt of the game, but Kennesaw State goalie Lauren Roberts made the save for the Owls.
With less than five minutes remaining in the first half, Hodge had two good looks at the goal. Her first shot was blocked by an Owl defender, while Hodge's second attempt went just wide of the net.
Glass stood strong in goal for the Norse despite the final margin. She recorded 10 saves on the night for the second time this season. Glass also collected ten saves against Jacksonville on Sept. 21 to open Atlantic Sun Conference play for NKU.
“I just wanted to do what my team needed me to do to keep us in the game,” Glass said of her performance.
The Norse earned five corner kick opportunities, with the final chance coming with less than a minute remaining in the game, but NKU was unable to attempt a shot.
Kennesaw State improved to 6-6-1 overall, 2-1-1 in the Atlantic Sun, while NKU dropped to 4-9 overall, 1-4 in conference play.
“Our record isn't what our players have hoped for, but we just have to keep positive and keep working hard,” Sheehan said. “Each day the effort is there, the attitudes are great and we are just going to try to keep moving forward.”
The Norse will close out their 2012 home schedule on Sunday by hosting Mercer. NKU's seven seniors will be honored prior to the match. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
