Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Box score | Video highlights

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Casey McMillan's goal four minutes into overtime lifted the Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team to a 3-2 victory against East Tennessee State on Sunday in the Norse's season finale.

Sam Davis began the winning sequence by playing a through ball to Allison Ponzer, who sent a cross to McMillan on the far post. McMillan finished with her fifth goal of the season, and second marker of the contest, to give Northern Kentucky its second consecutive win.

"Sam Davis played a great ball in to Ali, and that is Ali and what she has done for four years," NKU head coach Bob Sheehan said. "She has a terrific serve, so it was really great for Ali to be able to get in behind, get a nice touch, serve the ball to Casey at the back post, and Casey to have the game-winner.

"Again, Ali had kind of done that for four years whether we were Division I or Division II.  Ali has terrific speed, and she has the ability to run behind virtually any team that we've played.  So, obviously, we are going to miss her pace and speed up front."  

The Norse improved to 6-10-2 overall and finished 2-6-1 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. East Tennessee State dropped to 7-9-2 overall, 3-5-1 in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

McMillan netted a goal off an assist from Sami Rutowski early in the second half to give the Norse a 1-0 lead. Northern Kentucky still owned that advantage until the 79:42 mark, when Cecilia Re found the back of the net to tie the contest at 1-all.

The Norse regained the lead four minutes later when Megan Frye took a pass from McMillan and sent a shot toward East Tennessee State goalie Jasmine Elliott, who bobbled the ball and allowed it to cross the line for a Northern Kentucky goal. It was Frye's third marker of the season.

"Megan Frye had a terrific second goal, and we are pleased for Megan that as a senior she goes out on a high note," Sheehan said. "She had a nice goal, and she's had a wonderful career, so it was great for her to get on the board as well in her final game. She strikes the ball exceptionally well, and she has a very powerful left foot, so we are very proud of Megan."

East Tennessee State, however, tied the contest at 2-all less than a minute later on Hannah Short's header goal. That set the stage for McMillan's overtime goal and allowed the Norse to even the all-time series with East Tennessee State at 1-1.

A year ago, East Tennessee State posted a 2-1 win over Northern Kentucky in Johnson City, Tenn.

"It was pretty exciting from a soccer perspective in just watching the game and scoring goals and which team is going to be able to survive or get the final goal," Sheehan said. "I think it was important for us to bend, but not break a little bit, if you will, and it was great for the attacking players to get the final goal and secure a win."

Northern Kentucky is in its second year of a four-year reclassification process, and the Norse are not eligible for A-Sun postseason play. East Tennessee State entered Sunday hoping to secure the No. 6 seed for the upcoming A-Sun Tournament.

"We talked about this season potentially being a season of peaks and valleys, and as we make this transition to Division I, we know there will be ups and downs," Sheehan said. "We wanted to end the season on a high note. We are really pleased we finished the last three games with a 2-0-1 record. The attack was strong, the defense was strong and I was really pleased with our effort. We continued to fight all the way through the season, and I really am very, very proud of our team."