Week 2 Game Notes | Atlantic Sun Weekly Release
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team welcomes Tennessee Tech to the NKU Soccer Stadium on Sunday looking for its first win of the season with kickoff scheduled for noon.
NKU enters the contest 0-2-1 on the year after falling to Butler, 3-0, on Wednesday night. The Bulldogs scored two goals in the first 12 minutes of the game to take the early lead and added a third goal at the 37:50 mark for the final margin. Senior Megan Frye and sophomore Casey McMillan led the Norse with two shot attempts each.
A link to live stats will be available at NKUNorse.com.
ABOUT TENNESSEE TECH: Tennessee Tech, which hosts Alabama State tonight, is 0-2 after dropping a 1-0 decision to Kennesaw State on Aug. 23 to open the season and losing to Evansville, 2-1, at home last Sunday.
The Golden Eagles return senior forward Ellie Iaciofano, who led the team in goals (8) and points (20) last season. She finished the year tied for the lead with four assists as well, earning second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors. Iaciofano recorded the only goal of the season for Tennessee Tech against Evansville on 48 seconds into the match.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Brown has seen all 180 minutes in goal for the Golden Eagles. She has allowed three goals and collected 20 saves to start the season.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Tennessee Tech holds a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series against the Norse after holding on for a 3-2 victory on Aug. 31, 2012. Iaciofano scored two goals in the contest to lead the Golden Eagles, including the first goal of the game.
Martha Stabb's goal in the 43rd minute tied the game, but Tennessee Tech responded with its second goal to regain the lead, and Iaciofano stretched the lead to 3-1 in the 73rd minute. Megan Frye scored to cut the Golden Eagle advantage, but the Norse would not get any closer.
A-SUN HONORS: Sophomore goalkeeper Tanner Ruberg was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after collecting 13 saves against Murray State on Sunday afternoon. She posted a 0.45 goals against average and a .929 save percentage over NKU's first two games of the 2013 season.
Her 13 saves were the most for an NKU goalkeeper since Laurie Wallace collected 14 in a 3-1 loss to Mercyhurst on Sept. 21, 1997. She also became NKU's first A-Sun Player of the Week for women's soccer and is the first player to received conference weekly honors since Amanda Mason was tabbed as the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week on Oct. 10, 2011.
YOUNG EXPERIENCE: Injuries to upperclassmen have been an issue for NKU this season, but it has created opportunities for freshmen and sophomores to see more time on the field. The Norse have eight juniors and seniors on the roster, but only three (Abbey Scherer, Megan Frye and Allison Ponzer) have been able to make significant contributions during the first three games.
NEARING 260: NKU head coach Bob Sheehan owns a career record of 258-66-19 with the Norse. Sheehan began the program in 1997 and is in his 17th season on the NKU sideline. He led NKU to an unprecedented seven Great Lakes Valley Conference championship when the Norse competed at the NCAA Division II level. Sheehan also guided NKU to three consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II Final Four from 1999-2001.
In addition, Sheehan's team reached the 20-win mark four consecutive years (1999-2002) while establishing itself as one of the nation's top Division II programs.
SUNDAY'S PROMOTIONS: Sunday is Junior Norse Day at the NKU Soccer Stadium. All kids 12 and under receive free admission and will be permitted to get autographs on the field after the game. The Sunday Funday Bingo will once again be played during the game with the receiving an NKU t-shirt and a Toppers Pizza coupon.
