Box score
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida women's soccer team scored two goals in the second half to seal a 3-0 victory over Northern Kentucky University in Atlantic Sun Conference play on Friday evening.
Gabrielle Liguori put North Florida, which improved to 4-8-2 overall and 1-3-0 in the A-Sun with the win, on the scoreboard in the 11th minute with an 18-yard shot. The 1-0 lead would stand until the 72nd minute, when Alexis Bredeau sent a shot from the far right side past NKU goalkeeper Tanner Ruberg. A minute later, Lauren Hopfensperger stretched the lead to 3-0 as she took a pass from Carolina Lencina and found the back of the net at the 72:57 mark to seal the win for the Ospreys.
The Norse offense pressured the North Florida defense but could not get a shot by goalkeeper Megan Dorsey. Dorsey finished with eight saves to up her season total to 49 despite missing the first five games due to the injury.
NKU (4-9-1 overall, 0-5-0 in the A-Sun) finished with a 24-22 edge in shots, including a 15-6 advantage in the first half and three shots that hit the post. The Ospreys, however, responded in the second half and outshot the Norse 16-9. Both teams finished with four corner kicks.
Katelyn Newton led the NKU offensive effort with eight shot attempts, while Allison Ponzer added six, including five shots on goal opportunities. Ruberg finished the night with five saves for the Norse.
North Florida improved to 2-0 in the all-time series with NKU. Last season, the Ospreys scored a goal with less than a minute remaining in overtime to take a 3-2 victory at the NKU Soccer Stadium. Lencina and Hopfensperger connected once again for a goal in that game as well. Lencina scored the first North Florida goal of the game, and Hofensperger recording the assists.
The Norse return to action on Sunday when they face Jacksonville, which defeated Lipscomb, 2-0, tonight. Kickoff at the Southern Oak Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. Live stats and video links will be available at NKUNorse.com.
