HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.- The Northern Kentucky University men' soccer team (6-4-2, 3-1-2 Horizon League) returns to the home pitch on Saturday to face League foe Valparaiso (6-3-3, 2-1-1 Horizon League) with kickoff set for 4 p.m. at the NKU Soccer Stadium. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN3 with live stats available at NKUNorse.com.
 
Northern Kentucky University men' soccer team (6-4-2, 3-1-2 Horizon)
Valparaiso (6-3-3, 2-1-1 Horizon)
NKU Soccer Stadium – Highland Heights, Ky.
Oct. 17 – 4 p.m.
Series History: First-ever meeting
 
About the Crusaders
This will be the first-ever meeting between Valparaiso and Northern Kentucky. The Crusaders are coming off a 1-1 draw with No. 23 New Mexico on Wednesday. Valpo's six wins have come against Western Illinois (9/4), IUPUI (9/11), Western Michigan (9/23), Cleveland State (9/26), Omaha (9/28) and Milwaukee (10/3), with its three losses coming against Cincinnati (8/31), Kentucky (8/28) and Wright State. The Crusaders other two ties have come against Loyola (9/7) and Detroit (9/19). Valpo is led offensively by Isaiah Madrid, who has tallied 12 points on five goals and two assists. Nico Campbell has played every minute in goal for the Crusaders thus far, hauling in 32 saves with at goals-against average of 0.76 while allowing 10 goals.
 
Making the shots count
This season, the Norse have taken 50 shots on goal compared to their opponents' 83 shots on goal through 12 matches. However, NKU's shots on goal percentage is .476 while its opponents register a mark of .397. Additionally, Northern Kentucky has recorded 13 goals while its opponents have scored 12.
 
All even at home
When the Norse face off against the Crusaders on Saturday it will be only their fourth home match of the season. Northern Kentucky is all even at home, sporting a 1-1-1 record. On the road, the Norse carry a 4-2-1 mark and 1-1-0 mark at neutral sites.
  
Inside the Horizon League
The Norse still sit atop the league standings with 11 points, followed by UIC in second (10 points) and Green Bay (8 points). In the individual League statistics, NKU goalkeeper A.J. Fleak leads in save percentage (.864), saves per game (5.70) and ranks second in saves (57).
 
Last time out
The Norse fell to UIC 1-0 in overtime on Oct. 10, at home. The Flames' Jose Fuentes notched the golden goal in the 96^th minute when Many Chavez intercepted a clearance by the Norse defense and passed to Fuentes who finished from the top of the box to the top left corner. The match was NKU's fifth overtime match of the season.
 
Up next
Following their match with Valparaiso, the Norse will hit the road for a nonconference tilt with Eastern Illinois on Oct. 21, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. at Lakeside Soccer Field.
 
Stay connected
For more information on the Northern Kentucky University men's soccer program, please visit NKUNorse.com. You can also get updates on the Norse throughout the season by following @NKUNorseMSOC on Twitter and Facebook.