HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – A pair of second-half goals lifted the Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Green Bay on Friday night as the Norse wrapped up the regular season and notched a third place finish in the Horizon League. With the win and No. 3 seed, NKU will host a Horizon League Tournament quarterfinal match at home against the No. 6 seed on Monday, Nov. 2.

"Obviously we are thrilled to be able to host a first-round Horizon League Tournament game. This is the first time in our Division I history where we have earned the right to host a postseason tournament game and I'm very proud of our players for their effort," head coach Bob Sheehan said.

The Norse recorded their 10th win of the season, a new Division I program record for Northern Kentucky. NKU improved to 10-5-1 overall and 6-2-1 in the League.
Sophomore forward Jessica Frey led NKU's offensive effort with a goal and an assist while sophomore Macy Hamblin fired a game-high nine shots and added an assist.
Both teams got off to a slow start with NKU recording two shots on goal in the first half to Green Bay's one. The teams entered the locker room at the half locked in a scoreless tie.

"In the first half, we scored on a corner kick which was called back so I felt good that after the restart, we would do the right things. I think Macy Hamblin had a lot of good chances and we are just going to keep working on our finishing, defending and midfield play and be ready to play on Monday night," Sheehan added.

NKU returned to the field with aggressive energy, firing three shots within the first six minutes of the second period.

The offense broke through in the 54th minute when freshman Brianna Frondorf gained possession with plenty of green space to work with. Frondorf dished it to Frey who attempted a shot that was deflected by Green Bay (3-18, 1-8 Horizon) goalkeeper Kelly Kent. Frey rebounded the deflection and scored from seven yards out for a 1-0 NKU edge.

NKU extended its lead in the 63rd minute when senior Maria Silbersack scored on a double assist from Hamblin and Frey. Hamblin played it up field to Frey who fed the ball to the middle of the box for Silbersack who connected for a goal from the middle of the box.

Green Bay cut NKU's lead five minutes later when Heidi Hartmann scored from the top of the box for her seventh goal of the year.

The Norse will host the No. 6 seed on Monday in a Horizon League Tournament quarterfinal match at NKU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will air on ESPN3. More information on the Horizon League Tournament can be found at HorizonLeage.org.

NORSE NOTES:

• Frey, a sophomore forward, has posted three or more points on three occasions this season after posting four points against IPFW and three against Wright State.
• 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.
• With an assist tonight, Hamblin has tied her own NKU Division I benchmark set in 2014 for single season points with 20. Frey has also joined Hamblin with 20 season points.