HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Jessica Frey's fourth goal of the season lifted the Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Kennesaw State University in Atlantic Sun Conference action on Senior Night at the NKU Soccer Stadium on Saturday evening.
 
NKU, which improved to 6-7-3 overall and 2-3-1 in the Atlantic Sun, took advantage of a corner kick opportunity to put the game's lone goal on the scoreboard in the second half.  Sami Rutowski sent a corner kick into the goal area, and Frey headed a quick shot through the right side of the goal past Kennesaw State goalkeeper Olivia Sturdivant in the 74th minute.

The Owls kept the pressure on the Norse defense, with their best offensive opportunity coming in the 80th minute.  Monica Herrera headed a cross towards the NKU goal, but Norse goalkeeper Brooke Schocker made the save in the corner of the goal to preserve the lead.
 
"This is a team we have had trouble with in the past," NKU head coach Bob Sheehan said.  "They've done really well against us in the previous two seasons, so we knew Kennesaw State was going to be a tough match for us.  I thought our players did an outstanding job defensively, and we had beautiful service by Sami and Jessica had a tremendous goal on the corner kick.  We're thrilled with the win.  It was a hard fought win, and I thought our players definitely earned the victory."
 
Both teams shared possession through the first 15 minutes of the game, but Kennesaw State seemed to settle into its offensive rhythm and finished the opening stanza with eight shots, including two on goal.  NKU took four of its own in the first half but sent all of its shots just wide of the goal.
 
The Owls wasted no time earning a corner kick opportunity, taking their first of the game in the second minute.  Danielle Gray sent a header off the Brittney Reed kick, but Gray's attempted was blocked.  Khatra Mahdi was able to get her head on the ball just a few seconds later, and it sailed over the goal and out of bounds.
 
The Norse countered with a corner kick of their own on the other end of the field.  Kelsey Laumann's opportunity found Kelsey Zwergel just outside of the penalty box, but Zwergel's shot attempt was turned away by the defense.
 
Kennesaw State, which fell to 5-10-1 on the year and 2-4-0 in the conference, had a chance to open the game's scoring 10 minutes into the second half.  Reed served another corner kick into the penalty box area, and Gray's attempt was punched away by Schocker.  Julia Nelson gained control of the rebound, but Schocker once again made the stop to keep the game scoreless.
 
Prior to the game, the Norse honored its two seniors, CG Bryant and Abbey Scherer.  The win marked the second year in a row NKU has earned a win on Senior Night, defeating USC Upstate, 6-1, on Oct. 25.
 
"I just want to congratulate and complement our two seniors CG and Abbey," Sheehan said.  "They have been tremendous role models throughout their careers.  They have been outstanding on the field and outstanding off the field, and they are everything we would like our players to represent.  We are going to miss them, and it was a really nice Senior Night for CG and Abbey."
 
Frey's goal and Macy Hamblin's three shot attempts led the NKU offense, while Rutowski, Zwergel and Jaclyn Elmore each recorded shots as well.  Schocker made five saves to record her first collegiate shutout and fourth win of the season.
 
Maggie Gaughan and Shannon Driscoll each recorded three shots with one on target to pace Kennesaw State, which finished with a 15-7 advantage in shot attempts and placed five shots on goal.

The win marks the first for NKU in the all-time series between the two programs.  The Owls still own a 2-1 lead.
 
NKU closes out its 2014 Atlantic Sun schedule on Friday, Oct. 24 as the Norse travel south to face Lipscomb in Nashville, Tennessee.  Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern time.  Links to live stats and the video broadcast will be available at NKUNorse.com.