HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.- The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team (5-3-1, 2-0-1 Horizon League) defeated League foe Belmont (1-8-1, 0-2-0 Horizon League) in its home opening match on Thursday at the NKU Soccer Stadium.
 
"We told the kids before the game it does not matter if you're the first place team or the last place team, the games are going to be battles," Northern Kentucky head coach John Basalyga said. "A lot of the games in this conference end up in ties or someone winning in overtime. It's exactly what we heard it was, so it's good for our young team to get accustomed to this competition."
 
Kobie Qualah netted what proved to be the game winner in the 18^th minute with an assist by Johannes Jansen. Jansen booted the ball into the goalkeeper box from just past the midfield line. Qualah headed the ball past Belmont keeper Grayson Rector for the score, giving the Norse the 1-0 advantage.
 
The Norse fired five total shots in the first half, while taking one corner kick. The Norse defense held Belmont to two shots in the first half and one corner kick.
 
In the second frame, the Bruins picked up the pace on offense taking eight shots, but Northern Kentucky's backline held strong. Norse goalkeeper Toby Frohlich (1-0-0), making his first start of the season, notched four saves in the final 45 minutes to keep a clean sheet. The Norse defense limited Belmont to two corner kicks while helping to fend off eight shots.
 
"We had given up 43 corner kicks in the last three games and we held them to only three tonight," Basalyga said. "The back four played well and Toby Frohlich made some great saves to keep us in the game and that is was he is expected to do. I'm glad he had a great match."
 
Northern Kentucky finished the match taking seven shots total with three on goal and two corner kicks. Blemont fired 10 total shots with four on goal while totaling three corner kicks. Frohlich finished the match with four total saves, while Belmont's keeper Rector hauled in two.
 
The Norse return to action on Saturday at home taking on Horizon League foe Oakland with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. For more information on the Northern Kentucky men's soccer program please visit NKUNorse.com. You can also get updates throughout the season by following @NKUNorseMSOC on Twitter and Facebook.   
 
Norse Notes

• This was Northern Kentucky's fifth shutout performance of the season. The other four came against Memphis (8/31), St. Francis (9/4), IPFW (9/13), Wright State (9/22)
• Kobie Qualah scored his second goal of the season.
• Frohlich last recorded a shutout in goal for the Norse on Nov. 12, 2014 against Stetson in the Atlantic Sun Conference Men's Soccer Tournament.