MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team recovered from a slow first half against Robert Morris but fell short as the Norse were defeated, 2-1, on a soggy Monday afternoon at North Athletic Complex.
 
Trailing 1-0 in the second half, sophomore forward Macy Hamblin served the ball across the box past a pair of RMU defenders to pull Aubrey Muench in from the right wing. Muench attacked the ball and netted a one-touch goal for the equalizer in the 75th minute.
 
The game remained tied for four minutes until RMU's Kristie Hamilton launched a long cross to set up a goal for Lauren Pietrowski. The forward tapped it in for the Colonials' 2-1 lead in the 79th minute.
 
NKU (6-3) ran out of time to retaliate as they managed one shot throughout the remainder of the game, which came off the foot of Kelsey Zwergel in the 90th minute.
 
Northern Kentucky's late push in the second half came after the squad posted just four shots in the opening period, all coming after the 33 minute mark.
 
The slow start allowed Robert Morris to take its 1-0 first-half lead when the Colonials beat the NKU defense on a throw-in that led to a goal in the 24th minute.
 
The Norse shifted the game's momentum and registered 10 shots in the second period while holding Robert Morris to four shots. Despite the loss, NKU edged the Colonials in shot attempts, 14-13.
 
The match served as NKU's final nonconference match of the season. The Norse return to action on Saturday, Oct. 3 when they travel to Detroit for a 1 p.m. kickoff set to air on ESPN3.
 
NORSE NOTES:

• Hamblin posted a game-high four shots and two shots on goal in the loss. It marks the sixth occasion that the sophomore has led all players in shot attempts this season.
• The Norse defense allowed more than one goal for just the second time this year. Goalkeeper Brooke Schocker posted five saves in her full 90 minutes of action.
• NKU has posted a 3-2 record since its four-game season-opening win streak ended with a loss at Illinois on Sept. 11.