DAYTON, Ohio – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team scored a trio of goals in the first half, including two in the first 20 minutes, as it cruised to a 3-1 victory over Wright State on the road on Tuesday evening.
Junior forward
Macy Hamblin scored her seventh and eighth goals of the season, while
Jessica Frey also scored her seventh of the year. Meanwhile,
Rachel Conaway picked up a pair of assists and
Samantha Duwel picked up her first assist of the season.
"The beginning of games is also so critical for us because it sets the tone for the rest of the game. It was exciting to be a part of that," said Conaway. "Our team has really focused on our response to goals whether they're from us or from our opponents. There's been games in the part where we have responded really well, and we are continuing to do that."
"It was a quick turnaround, playing on Saturday and again today. I think any time you travel, to come away with three points is always great," said head coach
Bob Sheehan. "We set the tone early scoring two goals in the first 18 minutes. I'm really pleased with our players' effort and the intensity they played with today."
With the win, NKU (10-5-1, 6-1-1 Horizon) jumps to second in the League behind Milwaukee. WSU dips to 6-9-2 overall and 4-3-1 in the League.
NKU SCORING SUMMARY
- Hamblin gave NKU an early 1-0 lead with a goal in the fifth minute off the first NKU shot attempt of the match. Conaway's pass was deflected by a Wright State defender but gathered by Hamblin for the early tally.
- Conaway registered her second assist when Jessica Frey struck in the 18th minute and finished to the lower right of the goal from 15 yards out.
- In the final minute of the opening period, Hamblin scored her second goal of the match on a header directly off a corner kick taken by Duwel.
BETWEEN THE POSTS
- Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Lohmann made six saves for the second-straight match, just one save shy of her career high.
- A pair of WSU goalkeepers combined for six saves, four of which were made by Maddie Jewell who subbed in at the start of the second half.
FIRST HALF SUMMARY
- Despite being held scoreless in the first half, the Wright State offense kept Lohmann busy as the goalkeeper picked up four saves.
- The Raiders out-shot NKU, 8-6, as five of Northern Kentucky's six shots were on target. Hamblin fired three shots, all on goal in the opening period.
- The Norse led 3-0 at halftime on a pair of goals from Hamblin and one from Frey.
SECOND HALF SUMMARY
- NKU was the aggressor throughout the first portion of the second period, but Wright State maintained a string of possessions late in the half.
- The Raiders spoiled the shutout bid in the 76th minute on a header goal from Mattie Cutts from inside the five-yard box following an initial shot attempt that was saved by Lohmann.
- WSU managed 12 second-half shots in the period while the Norse posted seven, four on goal.
NORSE NOTES
- NKU has managed 13 or more shots in each of the last seven games as they have won five of their last six contests.
- Tuesday's match was Hamblin's third multi-goal game of the season. The junior scored twice against League foes Green Bay on Sept. 16 and UIC on Oct. 15.
- Conaway's two assists in a single game are a career-high as she also posted her first assist this season to go along with one goal.
- Lohmann has made 13 appearances this season, all starts, and has helped hold nine opponents to one goal or less.
UP NEXT
- The Norse host Valparaiso on Friday, Oct. 28 in the regular-season finale at NKU Soccer Stadium. With a win against the Crusaders, and a Milwaukee loss to Cleveland State, NKU will clinch the regular-season Horizon League title and earn hosting rights for the Horizon League Championship (Oct. 31-Nov. 5). NKU has secured no worse than the No. 3 seed for the upcoming tournament.
