Northern Kentucky University Athletics

FORT WAYNE, Ind. Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team battled back to force a 2-2 draw in their 2013 season opener at IPFW. A late goal from senior Craig Heard allowed the Norse to escape defeat to start out the new year.
 
The Mastodons opened the scoring early with a strike from Oscar Uyamadu. Uyamadu was able to get past A.J. Fleak and slot the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. Anthony Pritchett was credited with the assist.
 
Mohammed Salhieh was all over the goal for the Norse in the first half. He managed to get two of his four shots on target, but was unable to beat the opposing keeper.
 
The Norse were dominating first half possession and they outshot IPFW 11-6 in the first half. But it was the Mastodons that took advantage of their opportunities when Stephen Danielian beat Fleak to the right post, expanding the IPFW lead to two goals to none heading into halftime.
 
"We played really well the first half and we had a lot of good chances," said head coach John Basalyga. "They were able to get behind us a couple times and capitalize on their chances and we just lacked the composure to finish in the first half."
 
Things began to take a turn for the Norse in the second half when Cian McDonald netted the first goal for NKU in 2013 in the 51^st minute. In a one-on-one opportunity, McDonald was able to beat the keeper and direct the ball just inside the right post to cut the IPFW lead in half.
 
"He (McDonald) did a great job cutting into the middle of the field and letting one rip into the top corner of the goal'" said Basalyga. "He is a very talented outside midfielder."
 
The Norse midfield continued to control the game as NKU dominated the second half possession. A well played ball from Brendan Murphy found Heard as he was able to beat the keeper to level the scoring line in the 82^nd minute.
 
Murphy had a chance to end the game in regulation for the Norse but his shot was sent just wide of the goal. As the first 90 minutes came to a close, the Norse were leading the Mastodons 22-11 in shots.
 
Heard had two good looks on goal during the first overtime period but was unable to find the back of the net. The Norse outshot IPFW 3-0 in the first overtime.
 
Murphy and Wolstenholme each had a chance to clinch the game for the Norse in the second overtime period but they couldn't quite get their shots on target. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. The all-time series against stood at 14-2-3 at the end of the contest.
 
"For going down 2-0, the guys showed a lot of character being able to come back from that," said Basalyga. "They fought hard the whole game and I was very proud of the effort they gave but I also told them that we really let this one get away from us early on."
 
The season continues at the Dayton Classic next weekend, as the Norse will take on the Dayton Flyers on Friday Sept. 6 and the Eastern Illinois Panthers on Sunday Sept. 8. Both matches will be played at the University of Dayton.
 
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