HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team continues its season-opening road trip Friday by traveling to Pittsburgh, Pa., to take on Pittsburgh in a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m.
The Norse (0-5) are coming off two trips to Indianapolis. On Sept. 7, their match with Butler University was cancelled in the 39th minute due to severe weather. On Sept. 9, NKU made the trip back to Indianapolis and faced off with IUPUI. The Jaguars defeated NKU 1-0, getting the match's lone goal in the 15th minute.
After the goal, the Norse settled in and controlled the match for the final 75 minutes. NKU outshot the Jaguars 20-9. They also had eight shots on goal to IUPUI's three.
Mohammad Salhieh and
Brendan Murphy tied for the team lead with four shots apiece. The Norse also took 14 corner kicks but were unable to put any chances away.
The Pitt Panthers come into Friday's match with an unblemished record of 3-0-2. They just wrapped up hosting the Pitt/Nike Invitational, where the Panthers defeated IPFW and Delaware. Junior Nico Wrobel was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the tournament. He scored three goals, including both of the game winning goals.
The match in Pittsburgh marks Northern Kentucky's seventh consecutive road match to start the season. The Norse will play three more road games before making their regular-season debut at the NKU Soccer Stadium on Oct. 4 in their Atlantic Sun Conference opener against Florida Gulf Coast.
HEAD COACH JOHN BASALYGA'S CORNER:
On the IUPUI game: “It was a good game for the young kids. They played well, and they high pressed people and made some things happen. They just didn't take care of their chances, and hopefully we can finish off the week with a good practice and get ready to take on Pitt on Friday.”
On
Ian O'Reilly being the most experienced player in the back four: “He's the only one in the back that has experience, and he has three freshman starting around him. You just count on guys like Ian because of their size and experience to hold the back line and do some good things.”
On Norse goalkeeping: “
A.J. Fleak has a little ouchy right now, and he's coming back slowly but surely.
Toby Frohlich has done a lot for us. He made some great saves that kept us in the match with Radford. He's done a very good job.”
