Atlantic Sun Conference Week 4 Notes
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University's women's soccer team looks to get back on the winning track when it travels to Murray, Ky., on Sunday to take on Murray State at Cutchin Field. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
The Norse enter the match with a 1-4 record on the season after losing 1-0 to Xavier in overtime on Tuesday night. Margaret Woods scored the golden goal for the Musketeers in the 98th minute to help Xavier escape with a win.
Live stats for Sunday's action will be available at nkunorse.com
ABOUT MURRAY STATE: Murray State, a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, holds an 0-4 record. The Racers dropped a 2-1 decision on Sept. 2 against Indiana State, who defeated the Norse by the same margin in an exhibition match on Aug. 7 at the NKU Soccer Stadium.
Veronika Pribyslavska and Jenna Finke lead the offensive attack for Murray State, having each scored a goal this season. Pribyslavska gave the Racers a 1-0 advantage in the 21st minute against Indiana State, but the Sycamores answered with back-to-back goals less than two minutes apart in the second half for the win.
Goalkeeper Yi Du has played all 360 minutes in goal for the Racers. She has collected 18 saves and allowed nine goals. Du holds a 2.25 goals against average on the season.
NKU and Murray State have never met in women's soccer.
ZWERGEL'S PRESSURE: Kelsey Zwergel, a sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, collected a game-high five shot attempts in Tuesday's game against Xavier. Her only shot on goal gave the Norse its closest scoring opportunity of the game in the 82nd minute but goalie Katie Markesbery made a diving save for the Musketeers.
Zwergel's 15 shots over NKU's first five games ranks second on the team. She shared the lead with
Megan Frye with seven shots on goal. Zwergel assisted on Frye's goal against Tennessee Tech on Sunday for one point on the season.
HANGING TOUGH: While the Norse are 1-4 on the season, no loss has been by more than one goal during the regular season. NKU holds a 29-25 advantage over its opponents for shot on goal opportunities.
The Norse have scored two goals in the first half this season, the same as its opponents, and falls just one goal short of its opponents in the second half (5-4).
THEY SAID IT
Head coach
Bob Sheehan
On Tuesday's game against Xavier… “I thought we played really well, particularly in the second half. We wanted to dictate the pace of the game, and I felt like we were certainly able to do that in parts of the game. The crowd was great. We certainly want to thank the fans. It was outstanding to have 1,200 people here cheering on the Norse women's soccer team, which has never happened before, so again we just want to thank them.”
On the crowd for Tuesday's game… “That was a special event, the first Division I home contest ever and a local team in Xavier University. I don't know if we can ever outdo that, but it was a great night for women's college soccer and Northern Kentucky University.”
On
Kelsey Zwergel and
Allison Ponzer's performance against Xavier… “Kelsey has been an interesting one for us because we have kind of moved her around this year. We've had her in the back, midfield, central area and wide. She is such a versatile player and a terrific athlete with a great work ethic. Hopefully, she's settling in the center man position. We thought she did some really terrific things for us last night. She was very, very active and won the ball. She started the attack, and she was on the end of some services and was able to create some chances, take some shots as well.
“Allison is a tremendous athlete. She is a state champion in track in Kentucky. She is getting better and better with the soccer piece all the time. She has another great work ethic, and she continues to improve.”
On only losing by one goal in each loss… “We just have to stay as positive as we can with the team. We just have to keep working hard and try to do the things that will hopefully make us successful. We just need to be a little bit better, be a little bit sharper and crisper, eliminate some mistakes and hopefully capitalize on an opponent's mistake. We will try to win a game here.”
