Megan Frye is one of two players with two goals on the season.
Atlantic Sun Conference Week 6 Notes
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team faces Jacksonville and North Florida at the NKU Soccer Stadium this weekend to open its first season in Atlantic Sun Conference play.
The Norse host Jacksonville on Friday at 7 p.m. and return to the field on Sunday to take on North Florida at noon.
NKU enters the weekend with a 3-5 record. The Norse dropped a 2-0 decision against Oakland (Mich.) last Friday night but rebounded with a 2-1 victory over Youngstown State on Sunday.
Kelsey Laumann scored in the 12th minute to give NKU a 1-0 lead. After the Penguins tied the game before the half,
Sarah Smith put the Norse ahead for good in the 73rd minute.
NKU has never faced Jacksonville or North Florida in women's soccer.
Live stats will be available for both contests at nkunorse.com.
ABOUT JACKSONVILLE: Jacksonville holds a 3-4-1 record on the season. Marie Weckhurst scored in the 45th minute to give the Dolphins a 1-0 victory over the College of Charleston on Friday night. Goalkeeper Hannah Allerton earned her first start of the season and received Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Week for her performance. She faced 10 shots and collected six saves for her first collegiate shutout.
Sarah Moghadas leads the Jacksonville offense on the year with two goals and an assist, and Weckhurst has also added two goals for the Dolphins. Weckhurst leads the team with 19 shots, including 11 on target.
ABOUT NORTH FLORIDA: North Florida is 2-6-1 this season after dropping a 3-1 decision to No. 6 Central Florida last Friday night. Lauren Hopfensperger scored the lone Osprey goal in the 69th minute to tie the game. Central Florida responded with two unanswered goals for the final margin.
The Ospreys offense is led by Carolina Lencina and Thea Linkfield. Lencina has seven points on the season, having scored two goals and collected three assists, while Linkfield leads the team with three goals. Goalkeeper Rachel Beninati has 32 saves in seven games with a 1.95 goals allowed average.
North Florida travels to Nashville, Tenn., to take on Lipscomb on Friday night.
EVEN SCORING: NKU has scored a total of 12 goals this season by seven different players. Four have scored two goals this season:
Megan Frye,
Kelsey Laumann,
Maria Silbersack and
Martha Staab. Frye and Silbersack lead the team with six points each, having collected two assists on top of two goals.
Hannah Adams,
Hanna Pateryn, and
Sarah Smith have each added a goal for the Norse as well.
ALUMNI RECEPTION: The team will welcome back its alumni for the Jacksonville game on Friday night. A reception will take place during the game in the Founders Room, which overlooks the soccer field.
THEY SAID IT
Head coach
Bob Sheehan
On last weekend's loss to Oakland and victory over Youngstown State: “We came out with a lot of energy, and they moved the ball exceptionally well, particularly in the first 20 minutes of the game. By then it was 2-0, and we were not able to score any goals, but I thought we did play well. I thought we created a lot of opportunities, and we defended well after the initial 20 minutes.
“Youngstown was a hard fought, physical battle. We were able to get two terrific goals, one from
Kelsey Laumann and the other from
Sarah Smith. It was a great team effort.”
On the bench's effort on Sunday: “They really did a great job. We replaced the whole midfield about midway through the second half, and they went in and provided a lot of energy and made a big difference in the game. That is the group the eventually got the game-winner for us.”
On the team's scoring balance: “The whole group has worked exceptionally hard throughout the season. It has been an interesting process as we go through this transition, but everyone is working hard. That is all we can continue to do.”
On the sophomore class: “Obviously, with each passing year, you get a little bit stronger, hopefully more technical and understand what the rigors of what the college game are. The sophomore class has done a great job, and we are obviously thrilled with them.”
On starting their Atlantic Sun Conference schedule: “We have never seen anyone in the Atlantic Sun Conference. With Xavier, we have scrimmaged them in the past, and you know a little bit about some of the teams we've played because their universities are closer in proximity than some of those in the Atlantic Sun. This will be a new experience for us, and we are excited about facing that challenge this weekend.”
Kelsey Laumann
On her goal against Youngstown State: “
Kelsey Zwergel got the ball in the middle of the field, and she switched it to me on the right side through the defenders. I one-touched it and put it in the back of the net in the top left corner.”
On beginning conference play after tough non-conference schedule: “We get to start back at 0-0; no wins or losses in the conference. We are just trying to work hard for our first game on Friday.”
Sarah Smith
On her first goal of the season on Sunday: “It was right after I came in (the game). I just had high energy, but Martha (Staab) did most of the work. I passed the ball to Martha, and it kind of bounced in between her and the defenders at the 18 for a couple minutes. I snuck behind the defense, and I thought I was offsides so I had a delayed celebration. I was just one-on-one with the goalie, and I put it in the bottom right corner.”
On opening Atlantic Sun Conference play this weekend: “We are over our 1-0, 2-1 losses, so we are ready to start with the A-Sun and really make our mark for our first year in Division I.”
