SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team played USC Upstate to a 1-1 draw as the Norse opened the Atlantic Sun Conference portion of its 2014 schedule on Sunday afternoon at Country University Stadium.
After a scoreless first half,
Aubrey Muench broke open the game's scoring for NKU in the 52nd minute.
Kelsey Laumann sent a cross into Muench from the wing, and Muench sent her third shot of the game past USC Upstate goalkeeper Ellen Bright for a 1-0 Norse advantage.
"Aubrey has been opportunistic in creating scoring chances over the past two games for us," NKU head coach
Bob Sheehan said. "Now, we are just hoping for more production from the entire frontline moving forward."
Less than 10 minutes later, the Spartans tied the game up. Rachel Baylor crossed the ball to Nicki Kreji, who wasted no time sending a pass along to Caroline Keener. Keener then sent a shot by NKU goalkeeper
Tanner Ruberg and placed the ball into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
The Norse had three chances to win the game in regulation after the Spartans tied the game in the 61st minute.
Sami Rutowski's shot attempt in the 74th minute was stopped by Bright, and
Jessica Frey and
Macy Hamblin each had chances turned away by the USC Upstate goalkeeper in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
NKU put the pressure on the Spartans' defense during the two overtime periods, but the Norse could not find the back of the net for the game-winner. NKU took five corner kicks in the extra time, including four in the second overtime, but only generated one shot opportunity from the chances. Hamblin's header in the 104th minute bounced off the crossbar to keep the score at 1-1.
"We created some outstanding opportunities to score this afternoon," Sheehan said of the team's performance against the Spartans. "We just need to do a substantially better job in finishing on those opportunities."
NKU moved to 4-3-3 overall and 0-0-1 in the Atlantic Sun, while USC Upstate is now 2-7-1 on the year and 0-0-1 in the conference as well.
Hamblin led the offensive attack for the Norse with seven shot attempts, while Muench placed each of her three shot attempts on goal. Frey recorded three shots of her own, as Rutowski and
Morgan Shafer attempted two apiece. The Norse finished with a 17-6 edge in shot attempts and held a 14-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Baylor and Shauna Kain each took two shots and put one each on target to lead the Spartans offense. USC Upstate placed four of its six shots on target in the conference opener for both teams.
Ruberg collected three saves in addition to allowing one goal for the Norse, as Bright surrendered the Muench goal and made six saves for the Spartans.
The Norse return to the NKU Soccer Stadium for a pair of Atlantic Sun Conference games, starting with a 7 p.m. contest against Jacksonville on Friday. The Norse will be celebrating Kick for a Cure, and fans are encouraged to wear pink to support the fight against cancer and will receive $2 admission to the game if they come in pink apparel.
On Sunday, NKU welcomes North Florida to Highland Heights. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. Fans can pick up a #SundayFunday Soccer Bingo card on their way into the stadium for their chance to play along and win prizes.
Links to live stats and the ASun.TV broadcast for both matches are available at NKUNorse.com. For live updates during the game, be sure to follow @NKUNorseGameDay on Twitter. For news on the NKU women's soccer team, follow @NKUNorseWSOC on Facebook and Twitter, as well.
