HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team played Western Kentucky to a 1-1 draw in exhibition on Sunday afternoon at NKU Soccer Stadium to close out the preseason.

"We scheduled two very successful programs in Western Kentucky and Louisville and to be able to score against each of those teams was an attribute to our attack, our attacking philosophy and the abilities of our players," head coach Bob Sheehan said. "I think we are in a fairly good place for 12 days into the preseason. We have a lot of work to do and we have to continue to do all the little things right if we are going to continue to be successful."

The NKU defense suffocated the WKU offense early, holding the Hilltoppers to one shot in the opening 18 minutes while the Norse managed five shots in that span.

The teams traded momentum after returning to the field in the second half as the Norse offense struggled to maintain possession.

The Hilltoppers got on the board first after serving the ball into the box and deflecting it off the NKU defense for an own goal and 1-0 lead in the 59th minute.

Junior midfielder Sami Rutowski found the back of the net for the equalizer in the 85th minute when junior Katelyn Newton found Payton Naylor at the far left wing corner. Naylor crossed it to Rutowski in the box who tapped it in for the game-tying goal.

"I was pleased with the drive and commitment we demonstrated late in the game to come back and get the game-tying goal and to have a couple opportunities to even win a game," Sheehan added.

The Norse open up the regular season at home on Friday, Aug. 21 when they play host to IPFW at NKU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The match will be broadcast on ESPN3.

NORSE NOTES:

• Norse freshman Erin Sutton and sophomore Macy Hamblin managed good looks in the opening half, dribbling into a one-on-one situation with WKU goalkeeper Allison Leone.
• Rutowski led the Norse offense with four shots, all on goal. She split her shots between the first and second half, claiming each of NKU's two shots on goal in the second period.
• NKU out-shot WKU 10-7 in the opening half while Western Kentucky was the aggressor in the second half, out-shooting the Norse, 12-6.