NKU's seven seniors were honored prior to Sunday's match against Mercer.
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Danielle Hesse's goal in the fourth minute lifted Mercer to a 1-0 victory over the Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team on Sunday afternoon at the NKU Soccer Stadium.
Lauren Gassie, who was credited with an assist on the goal, sent a corner kick into the box. Hesse gained control of the ball and was able to get a shot past NKU goalie
Cassie Lingenhoel for her fourth goal of the season.
Kelsey Laumann had two ch
ances to tie the game for the Norse in thesecond half. Her first shot got past Mercer goalie Maggie Cropp in the 48th minute but bounced off the left post and out of bounds. Laumann's second attempt came with eight minutes remaining, but Cropp made the save for the Bears.
The Norse continued to put the pressure on the defense in the second half, including a shot on goal by
Sarah Smith that was blocked with less than three minutes remaining in the game, but Mercer (9-3-3 overall, 3-0-2 in the Atlantic Sun) stood strong to hold on for the win.
NKU outshot Mercer by an 8-5 margin in the second half to finish with a 15-14 edge in shots but were unable to get one past Cropp, who collected six saves on the day.
Laumann, Smith and
Allison Ponzer collected three shots each to lead the Norse offense.
NKU, which fell to 4-10 on the season and 1-5 in the Atlantic Sun Conference, has had 10 of its 14 games decided by one goal this season.
“I thought we played well and created some really good opportunities today,” NKU head coach
Bob Sheehan said. “Unfortunately, we feel like we are a little bit repetitive in nature because we seem to have the same experiences. The results aren't going the way we want, but we are competing. We are creating great chances, and we are defending well. We just haven't gotten that goal or maybe that stop that will change the game.”
Sunday's action marked the final home game for NKU's seven seniors, who were honored prior to the match. NKU will close out its season with three games on the road.
NKU begins the road trip Friday when the Norse travel to Johnson City, Tenn., to meet East Tennessee State at 7 p.m.
