MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team played League-leading Milwaukee to a scoreless draw at Engelmann Stadium on Saturday night and clinched a Horizon League Tournament bid in its first year as a member of the League.

"Our players have worked very hard to achieve at the highest level possible. We continue to be proud of their efforts and for earning a berth in the upcoming Horizon League Tournament," head coach Bob Sheehan said.

The draw is NKU's first this season as the Norse own a 5-2-1 League record and are 9-5-1 overall. Milwaukee moves to 7-0-1 in the Horizon League and 10-3-3 overall.

Norse goalkeeper Brooke Schocker posted a pair of early saves in the 14th and 26th minute before the Norse defense held Milwaukee without a shot on target for the remainder of the 110 minute match.

NKU and Milwaukee were tied with four shots each after the first period with Maria Silbersack and Macy Hamblin chipping in one shot on goal apiece.

The Northern Kentucky offense began to pull away in the second half, firing seven shots and maintaining more offensive possession. However, the Norse and Panthers, who entered the contest with the League's two best goals against averages, continued to fight through a defensive battle.

Senior midfielder Hanna Pateryn shined for NKU in the overtime periods. Pateryn took a pair of corner kicks in the first overtime and managed NKU's only two shots in the extra minutes.

NKU forced Milwaukee goalkeeper Paige Lincicum to make six saves in her 110 minutes between the posts.

The Norse out-shot the Panthers 13-11 overall and 6-2 in shots on goal. Hamblin and Silbersack led Northern Kentucky with two shots on goal apiece while Jessica Frey added a game-high four shots.
 
The draw puts NKU in third place in the Horizon League with 16 points, trailing Oakland by one point. The Norse are one game ahead of Wright State who sits in fourth while Milwaukee remains atop the table with 22 points and the regular season title.

NKU returns to action on Friday, Oct. 30 when it wraps up the regular season at home against Green Bay in a match set to air on ESPN3. NKU's seniors will be recognized on the field prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff as part of Senior Night.

NORSE NOTES:

• The match was NKU's third to extend into double overtime this season, with all three of the Norse's OT matches coming in Horizon League play. NKU is 1-1-1 in overtime contests this year.
• The Norse are headed to their second Division I postseason conference tournament after advancing to the semifinal round of last year's Atlantic Sun Tournament where NKU fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 3-1.
• Schocker, a junior goalkeeper, now ranks ninth in NKU program history for single season saves with 54. She has faced 175 shots in 1,240 minutes this season.