HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team (9-4, 5-1 Horizon)  is set to open a two-game road swing with a trip to Rochester, Mich. to take on Oakland (4-5-6, 3-1-2 Horizon) on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Oakland Soccer Field and will air on ESPN3.


Northern Kentucky (9-4, 5-1 Horizon) at Oakland (4-5-6, 3-1-2 Horizon)
Wednesday, Oct. 21 - 4 p.m.
Rochester, Mich. -- Oakland Soccer Field
Live Stats: GoldenGrizzlies.com | ESPN3 | Twitter: @NKUNorseGameDay
Series history: Oakland leads, 2-0

LAST TIME OUT: The Norse last competed when they suffered a 2-1 loss in double overtime against Cleveland State. A penalty kick from Macy Hamblin gave NKU a 1-0 edge that lasted until the final five minutes of regulation. CSU netted an 85th minute goal to send the match into OT. A golden goal with 21 seconds left in the final overtime period handed the Vikings a 2-1 win despite a 36-shot effort from NKU in the match.

ABOUT OAKLAND: The Golden Grizzlies, who were picked to finish second in Horizon League preseason poll, and are unbeaten in their last six games, going 4-0-2 in that span. Oakland is coming off a scoreless draw at UIC and has averaged 1.33 goals per League contest and has held Horizon opponents to 0.67 goals per game. Alice Palmer is the leading goal scorer with four goals while Joan Sieja leads with 11 points (three goals, five assists). Goalkeeper time has been split between Emily Zweng (603:05 minutes) and Alison Holland (872:14 minutes).

NORSE NOTES:

Horizon League Tournament implications are on the line as the Norse compete in their final three matches of the 2015 season. Following Saturday's loss to Cleveland State, NKU dropped to second place in the Horizon League with 15 total points. Milwaukee is in sole possession of first with 18 points and a record of 6-0 in the League. Cleveland State trails NKU by one game in third place (12 points). The top six teams advance to the Horizon League tournament Nov. 2-7 at campus sites.

In the third meeting between the two teams, NKU is looking for its first program win over Oakland. The Norse enter the match looking to avenge a pair of losses after falling 2-1 at home in 2012 and 2-1 at Oakland in 2013. In the most recent meeting, Oakland posted a pair of first-half goals to put the game out of reach of the Norse. Maria Silbersack posted an assist on NKU's lone goal.

Northern Kentucky has not allowed more than two goals in a single game this season. The Norse defense has held opponents to 0.92 goals per game and picked up five shutouts. The duo of Silbersack and freshman Taylor Spaulding have been staples in the back line, as the pair leads the squad in minutes played at 1150 and 1125, respectively. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Brooke Schocker ranks in the top five in the Horizon League in goals against average (0.86), save percentage (.817) and saves (49).

Twelve different Norse have at least one point in Horizon League matches this season. Across six League games, Frey leads with 10 points while Hamblin follows with nine. Hanna Pateryn, Morgan Shafer and Katelyn Newton have been strong offensive contributors in League matches with four points apiece. All four of Shafer's points this season have come in League matches after netting a pair of goals.

While the Norse need one more win to record their winningest season in the Division I era, Hamblin is just one point away from tying NKU's Division I benchmark for single season points. Last season, the Norse went 9-8-3 for a program-high nine Division I wins. Hamblin shined in the 2014 campaign with 20 total points, a Division I program record. Hamblin has totaled a League-high 19 points with three games remaining this year. Frey is also closing in on the record with 17 points. Hamblin is averaging 1.50 points per game while Frey averages 1.31.

UP NEXT: On Saturday, Oct. 24, the Norse travel to take on Milwaukee, who is currently unbeaten in the Horizon League. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Engelmann Stadium. The match will be the final road match for the Norse this season.