HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Kaitlyn Bassett's goal in the 68th minute lifted the Jacksonville University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Northern Kentucky University in Atlantic Sun Conference action at the NKU Soccer Stadium on Friday evening.

Bassett, the Atlantic Sun preseason co-player of the year, scored the game's lone goal when she gathered a loose ball after a corner kick from Jessica Cataldo-Ramirez.  Lindsay Forrest tapped the ball to Bassett, who was just inside the 18-yard box.  Her shot attempt found the lower right corner of the net for a 1-0 Jacksonville advantage.

"[Bassett] is an exceptional player, and she was able to take advantage of her moment," NKU head coach Bob Sheehan said.  "The one shot she took went in, and that is what great players do.  They make great plays, and she did that for Jacksonville tonight.  We congratulate her, and we congratulate Jacksonville."

NKU, which fell to 4-4-3 overall and 0-1-1 in the Atlantic Sun, pressured the Jacksonville defense early and often in the first half.  The Norse had six solid chances in the opening 20 minutes, taking four shots and placing three of those on goal.  NKU also had two one-on-one opportunities from Aubrey Muench and Kelsey Laumann, respectively, which came up just short.  Dolphins goalkeeper Sarah Sierra came out to meet Muench and turned her shot attempt away, and Laumann's shot was just off target after passing a sliding Sierra.

After a scoreless first half, the Norse offense threatened again around the 60th minute.  Chrissy Spears sent a shot towards the Jacksonville goal after a Sami Rutowski corner kick, and the ball bounced off Sierra.  A scrum ensued and Macy Hamblin gained control of the ball, but her attempt was turned away by a defender. 

"Kelsey Laumann got in behind the defense and had a nice opportunity, and Aubrey Muench was in behind on a breakaway for another great opportunity," Sheehan said of his team's offensive performance.  "Macy hit the post, and we had a couple chances on corner kicks in the second half, and they just didn't go our way tonight.

"I thought tonight was a great college match.  Jacksonville is a very experience team.  They won the Atlantic Sun Championship last year and advanced to the NCAA tournament, so they are a high-level team.  I thought we competed well tonight."

NKU finished with a 14-9 advantage in shot attempts, including an 8-6 edge in the second half, while placing seven of its chances on target.  Jacksonville, which improved to 8-4-1 on the year and 2-0-0 in the conference, took five corner kicks and took advantage on one of its two second-half opportunities, and NKU took each of its three chances over a two-minute span in the final 45 minutes.

Hamblin paced the Norse offensive effort with four shots, as Rutowski and Muench each took three shot attempts apiece and put two of their chances on goal.  NKU goalkeeper Tanner Ruberg picked up three saves on the night.

Julia Burton and Joy Grove each took two shots to lead Jacksonville, while Sierra added seven saves to up her season total to 70 for the Dolphins.

The Norse return to the NKU Soccer Stadium on Sunday as NKU welcomes North Florida at noon.  Fans are encouraged to pick up their #SundayFunday Soccer Bingo cards on their way into the stadium and keep up with the game's action for a chance to win prizes.  Kids are invited onto the field postgame as a part of the season's final Shoot Around Sunday and have the chance to receive player autographs as well. 

Links to live stats and the ASun.TV broadcast will be available at NKUNorse.com.  Follow @NKUNorseGameDay on Twitter for live updates during the game, and be sure to follow @NKUNorseWSOC on Facebook and Twitter for information on the team.