Week 4 Midweek Notes

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team opens a three-game nonconference homestand against local rival Xavier at the NKU Soccer Stadium on Tuesday.

The third regular-season matchup between the two teams is slated to start at 7 p.m.  Links to live stats and the ASun.TV broadcast will be available at NKUNorse.com.  For updates during the game, follow @NKUNorseGameDay on Twitter, as well.

NKU improved to 2-1-1 on the season after defeating IUPUI, 1-0, at the Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Friday evening.  Stacie Volker scored a goal with 25 seconds remaining in the first half to lift the Norse to the victory.  Hanna Pateryn sent a corner kick into the goal area, and Volker's first shot attempt was blocked by the defense.  But, she regained control of the ball and connected with the back of the net on her second chance.

ABOUT XAVIER:  The Musketeers, winners of their last three games, enter Tuesday's contest with a 3-3 overall record.  Xavier's winning streak began on Sept. 2 with a 2-0 win at IUPUI, and was capped by Sunday's 2-1 victory over Ohio Northern on goals by Maddy John and Katie Schweer.

Tori Doss and Catherine Allon lead the Musketeers offense with five points on two goals and one assist each.  Doss returned for her second season with Xavier after recording a team-high 13 points and five assists while sharing the team lead in goals with four.  Allon tallied three goals during the 2013 season for the Musketeers.

Katie Markesbery has started every game in goal for Xavier this season.  She holds a 1.53 goals against average, has made 32 saves and posted one shutout.  Rachel Piccus stood strong for the Musketeers in the second half against Ohio Northern on Sunday afternoon, not allowing a goal and making one save.

NKU/XAVIER SERIES:  Xavier holds a 2-0 lead in the all-time series against NKU, as the Musketeers have walked away with a pair of 1-0 victories over the past two seasons.  The first meeting between the two teams came on Sept. 4, 2012, in front of a crowd of 1,210 fans at the NKU Soccer Stadium, which set a regular-season attendance record.  Xavier scored the golden goal in overtime to give the Musketeers a win in the first regular-season matchup.

Last season, Taylor Dearbaugh's goal in the 60th minute lifted Xavier to a 1-0 victory at the XU Soccer Complex.  Her shot hit the crossbar over NKU goalkeeper Tanner Ruberg's outstretched arms and bounced into the back of the goal.

The Musketeers finished with a 9-6 edge in shots, and NKU ended with a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks but could not take advantage of the opportunities.  Ruberg made three saves on the night, and Katie Markesbery turned away two shots on goal in her shutout performance.

AGAINST THE BIG EAST:  NKU is 0-3 against members of the Big East Conference.  In addition to Xavier's 2-0 lead in the all-time series, Butler won the only meeting against the Norse on Aug. 28, 2013.  The Bulldogs scored three first-half goals for a 3-0 victory last season.  NKU looks to avenge that loss on Sept. 17 when Butler makes its first trip to Highland Heights.
 
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFENSE:  NKU boasts an equal opportunity offense this season.  The Norse have eight players who have combined for the team's 10 goals on the season.  Macy Hamblin has netted three goals to lead the team and earn a share of third place in the Atlantic Sun Conference.  Kelsey Laumann and Stacie Volker have each recorded their first goals in two seasons after missing last year due to injuries. 

Katelyn Newton, who earned a spot on the Atlantic Sun All-Freshmen Team last season, picked up where she left off in 2013 with a goal at IPFW, and Sami Rutowski successfully converted on a penalty kick opportunity against Eastern Illinois to open the season.  Jessica Frey, Morgan Shafter and Elizabeth Wittwer have each netted their first collegiate goals this season as well.

In addition to the goal production this season, seven players have contributed to NKU's 10 assists total.  Laumann tops the team with three assists, which ranks second in the conference, while Aubrey Muench follows with two.  Hamblin, Jaclyn Elmore, Ariel Fisher, Hanna Pateryn and Maria Silbersack have each added assists through the first four games as well.

As a team, the Norse are tied for first in the Atlantic Sun in assists (10) with Florida Gulf Coast and second in goals (10) with FGCU as well.  Lipscomb leads the conference with 13 goals over the Bisons' seven games played.

TUESDAY'S PROMOTION:  Fans are encouraged to come dressed in their gold on Tuesday night against Xavier for NKU's Gold Rush.  The first 100 students in attendance will receive a gold bandana.  It will also be Jersey Night, where kids will receive free admission when they come to the game wearing their soccer club uniform. 

UP NEXT:  The Norse welcome Robert Morris to the NKU Soccer Stadium for the first time on Sunday, looking to bring the series even at 1-all after falling to the Colonials, 1-0, to start the 2013 season.  Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.  Fans can enjoy #SundayFunday Soccer Bingo, and kids are invited onto the field after the game to participate in Shoot Around Sunday and receive player autographs.