HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team played IUPUI to a scoreless draw at the NKU Soccer Stadium on Monday night. NKU would get its sixth tie of the season, which breaks the single-season record in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
The Norse returned home after a big 2-1 victory over Lipscomb on Saturday Oct. 19. The Jaguars were also coming into the game off of a win, as they defeated IPFW 2-1 on Oct. 19.
Nathan Sexton took a long-range shot in the 11th minute that was batted away by IUPUI keeper Eduardo Cortes. Seconds later,
Yaw Addai collected the ball and struck a low shot towards the goal that Cortes was able to save.
The offensive pressure continued for the Norse when
Nick McGregor took a shot from outside the penalty area in the 19th-minute. He struck the ball hard and low and Cortes couldn't collect the ball. It bounced off of his hands and Sexton attempted to put in the rebound but Cortes was able to get on his feet and make a spectacular save. The Norse would go on to outshoot the Jaguars 7-5 in the first half but
A.J. Fleak was not troubled at all as no IUPUI shot landed on target.
The Norse would continue to create chances in the second half but they couldn't find the ability to produce a final product in the attacking third. A ball played over the top to
Ben Rossoll in the 57th-minute would prove to be the best chance for the Norse all game. Rossoll got behind the defense and made a move to get past the keeper. He had an open look at goal but couldn't squeeze the ball into the window and his shot went into the side netting.
Just two minutes later,
Craig Heard played a ball to
Nicholas Chiarot at the top of the box. Chairot struck a powerful shot off of his left foot that went inches wide of the target. Things got nerve wrecking for the Norse in the 81st-minute when the Jaguar's Cristian Soto got past Fleak in the penalty area and struck the ball towards the goal.
Ian O'Reilly was able to come to the rescue for the Norse as he stood in front of the goal and blocked the shot from going in. The final whistle would sound and the Norse would get ready for their ninth overtime of the season.
NKU would go on to outshoot IUPUI 5-3 in overtime but the keepers on both teams would ensure the game end in a draw. NKU's best chance came in the 99th-minute from
Noah Johnson. Johnson struck a ball from 35yds out that would get saved by a diving Cortes. The Jaguar's chance came in the 104th-minute from Sam Stronczek. He would head the ball at goal, off of an IUPUI throw-in, that would hit the crossbar and go over the goal. The final whistle blew and NKU would move to 5-3-6 on the season and 0-0-3 at home this season.
The Norse are in action on Wednesday Oct. 23 against East Tennessee State. The Buccaneers are currently second in the A-Sun standings. NKU will then host Jacksonville on Saturday Oct. 26 as the Norse will honor their graduating seniors on Senior Night. For updates on NKU men's soccer, follow @NKUNorseMSOC on Twitter. For all other news concerning NKU athletics, follow @NKUNorse.
