Northern Kentucky University Athletics

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Macy Hamblin and Kelsey Laumann each recorded one goal and one assist to lead the Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team to a 4-0 victory over Eastern Illinois in a lightning shortened game at the NKU Soccer Stadium on Friday night.

NKU wasted no time putting a goal on the scoreboard in its first game of the 2014 season.  Laumann, returning from an injury which sidelined her for the entire season last year, put the Norse on the scoreboard in the fourth minute.  Maria Silbersack started the scoring play when she passed the ball ahead to Hamblin.  Hamblin then sent it forward to Laumann, who placed the ball into the lower left corner of the net for a 1-0 NKU lead.

"Once that first goal was scored, our energy really picked up," Hamblin said.  "We have been practicing in the preseason playing with high pressure, scoring early and scoring often.  It really helped us grow our confidence tonight."

The Norse struck again in the 12th minute when Hamblin scored her first collegiate goal.  Ariel Fischer lobbed the ball over the defense.  Hamblin headed the ball towards the Eastern Illinois goal, and it bounced off goalkeeper Emily Hinton, putting the Norse ahead 2-0.

"Macy is a target player, and she does a great job with her back to the goal," NKU head coach Bob Sheehan said.  "She is a very unselfish player, and she has done a tremendous job for us in the 17 days she has been with us."

Sami Rutowski scored the last goal of the first half for NKU when she successfully converted on a penalty kick attempt after EIU was whistled for a handball in the box, and NKU took a 3-0 advantage into the halftime break.

Jessica Frey's first career goal found the back of the net when she collected a pass from Laumann and sent a shot from straightaway by Hinton, giving NKU a 4-0 lead just seconds before the lightning struck at the 71:36 mark and eventually ended the game.

The NKU defense limited Eastern Illinois to just four shots on the night, and Tanner Ruberg collected three saves in her first shutout of the season. The Norse placed 10 of their 20 shot attempts on goal, and Hinton finished the night with six saves for Eastern Illinois. 

"We are really pleased with our performance," Sheehan said.  "When you get an early lead, players start playing with more confidence.  It allowed us to get more players involved in the game.  We were pleased to get as many players into the game as we were able to tonight.  Early in the season, it is important to get people playing time, so that was good for us."

NKU returns to the NKU Soccer Stadium on Sunday as the Norse welcome Morehead State at 1 p.m.  Links to live stats and the ASun.TV broadcast will be available at NKUNorse.com.

#SundayFunday Soccer Bingo will be back this season.  Fans are encouraged to pick up a bingo card on their way into the game and play along for the chance to win prizes.  It will also be Shoot Around Sunday, where kids have the opportunity to play on the field after the game and receive player autographs.