Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Box Score

NASHVILLE – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team closed their preseason in a 0-0 draw against Belmont. After the weather in Nashville caused a two and a half hour delay, neither the Norse nor Bruins could find a way through during the match.
 
There may have been plenty of lightning in the Nashville area before the game but once the match started at 7:30p.m, there was no lightning to be found on the pitch. It was a constant battle in the midfield and neither side was able to turn possession into meaningful chances throughout the 90 minutes.
 
The first chance for either side came in the 13th-minute from NKU's Nick Merhaut. Merhaut made his first career start for the Norse but his shot early in the contest sailed wide of the target. Alwin Komolong would go on to put the only shot on goal for the Norse throughout the entire game during the 17th-minute but he failed to trouble the opposing keeper. Norse goalkeeper A.J. Fleak was called to make four saves in the first half, keeping the match scoreless at the halftime whistle.
 
"We knew what we were going down there to do and the first half was all about getting their legs going," said head coach John Basalyga. "We did well considering the injuries we had and guys being banged up. There were a lot of different faces out there for us tonight and overall I was proud of the effort."
 
The second half would offer little solace to both sides. Belmont's Adriano Balani took the only shot on target for either side in the half during the 55th-minute. Fleak made the save, bringing his tally to five, and was never tested again throughout the match.
 
The Bruins spent a lot of time in the offensive third of the field, amassing eleven corner kicks during the game. Despite the pressure and possession, the Norse defense never faltered. The final whistle blew and the preseason for the Norse came to a close. In two games, NKU has neither scored a goal nor given one up. The back-to-back shutouts do show signs of a strong defensive unit but the lack of goal scoring will need to be addressed as the regular season begins.
 
"We've got to work on finishing," said Basalyga. "The offense usually takes longer to come along. The defense has done well, battling and scrapping together some results. That might be what we have to do until the offense gets going. As the season goes on, we will score goals. It's just a matter of time until someone steps up to be the guy and until then we'll hope the defense remains strong."
 
The regular season for the Norse begins on Friday Aug. 29 against the Cincinnati Bearcats at the NKU Soccer Stadium. The match will begin at 7pm and it will be the first time the Norse will host the Bearcats in a regular season matchup. Live stats and video will be available at nkunorse.com and be sure to follow NKUNorseMSOC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for a behind the scenes look leading up to the match.