Northern Kentucky University Athletics

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team played the Kentucky Wildcats to a scoreless draw in front of an NKU Soccer Stadium record 1,934 fans.
 
The NKU staff was expecting large crowds for the match and brought in extra seating behind the south endzone. Hundreds of NKU students packed into the area and created quite the atmosphere throughout the game.
 
"Unbelievable student support," said head coach John Basalyga. "It was pretty impressive to have the student body behind the goal. I thought it added a nice touch for the players to have that kind of support behind them. Again, I have to thank Kentucky for bringing their team up here."
 
The Norse came out running in the first half, maintaining a majority of the possession and causing fits for the Wildcat midfielders. Seniors Ian O'Reilly and Christian Johnson were rock solid in the center of the defense and their constant linking up with Gavin Colton and Nick McGregor in the midfield led to creating chances. The Norse threatened for a goal first in the 26th minute behind freshman Diego Martinez. He took a shot from just outside of the penalty area, but it did not cause any trouble for the Kentucky keeper Stuart Ford.
 
"This team showed a lot of heart and determination," said Basalyga. "Gavin and McGregor played really well in the middle. Christian and Ian made good decisions and they are all the core of our team, playing in the middle. Those four guys were the stars of the game."
 
The first half ended with neither side being able to break the game open. Norse goalkeeper Toby Frohlich only faced one troubling shot in the first half from Hampus Agerstorm. Frohlich left the ground, diving to save the shot, which was put high and away.  Both sides went into halftime satisfied with the scoreline.
 
The Wildcats controlled the game in the beginning of the second half. They began sending more players forward in an attempt to crack open the Norse defense.  Kentucky's Sam Miller was able to get through the defense and strike the ball towards NKU's second half keeper A.J. Fleak. Fleak ran out to meet Miller, who was in plenty of open space, and forced him to take an early shot. The left leg of Fleak was able to deflect the shot away from the goal and out of bounds.
 
A defensive error of the Wildcats nearly cost them the game in the 75th minute. A defender mishit the ball and it bounced over Stuart's head. Stuart sprinted towards his own goal and was able to get back in time to punch the ball over the crossbar, conceding a corner. That proved to be the last real chance of the game. The final whistle blew and the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
 
 
"When you play UK, I don't care if it is tiddlywinks, rifle, or whatever, it's Kentucky," said Basalyga. "They are who they are in this state and people know them. It is a huge game for them to come up to our facility to play. The fans make this fun and next year I want to see over 2,000 people here."
 
The result marked the third year in a row the Norse and Wildcats have played to a draw. Now, the Norse will shift their gears and begin preparing for their next exhibition match against the Belmont Bruins.
 
"We get back to the grind on Tuesday because the guys need a day off and a day away from me and Jeff," said Basalyga. "Now, we'll get ready for Belmont."
 
The Norse will travel to Nashville, Tennessee, next weekend to take on the Bruins on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. For updates during that game and all NKU men's soccer games this season, follow @NKUNorseGameDay on Twitter. While on social media, also follow NKUNorseMSOC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for team information.