Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Box Score

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The NKU men's soccer team held on to claim a 1-0 victory over Loyola-Chicago in the Norse's second game of the 50 Years of Soccer tournament hosted by Eastern Illinois University.
 
The Norse were at the offensive helm early in the contest when freshman Setho Moshoeshoe had a shot on goal that was saved by the Ramblers' keeper Tim Dobrowolski.  Moments later, the Norse defense had to be called on as Loyola forward Enrique Garcia took a shot that was blocked by the Norse backline.
 
NKU would continue its offensive surge when Moshoeshoe and Justin Wolstenholme sent shots goal-ward in the 21st minute. Moshoeshoe's attempt was blocked, while Wolstenholme's attempt sailed wide of the target.
 
Caleb Eastham came to the rescue for the Norse in the 30th minute when he connected with a cross from Nicholas Chiarot. Chiarot sent a cross in the box that Eastham was able to send in the goal via his head, and the Norse took a 1-0 lead. This was the first time all season that the Norse would lead in regulation.  Ronald Moss and Matt Dombrosky each had a chance to add to the Norse tally before halftime, but the Norse would end up taking the 1-0 lead into the half.
 
Eastham and the Norse came out strong in the second half as he blasted in a shot in the 48th minute that hit off the crossbar. It would end up being the best offensive chance for the Norse in the second half.
 
In the 57th minute, A.J. Fleak was called to action when he saved a shot from the Ramblers' Brian Bement. The Ramblers would outshoot the Norse 4-3 in the second half but Fleak would see to it that the Norse would keep a clean sheet for the contest. Just before the final whistle blew, Fleak made a diving save, holding the Ramblers scoreless.
 
The Norse improved to 2-2-1 on the season as they went 1-1 on the weekend. The start to the 2013 season has shown signs of serious improvement, as the Norse started out 0-6 in 2012 beforing turning the season around and going 7-4-1 to end the year. The Norse will face Cincinnati at UC on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Be sure to follow @NKUNorse on Twitter for game updates or check nkunorse.com for live stats.