HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team looks to build on its successful 3-1 start to Horizon League play on Saturday as it plays host to Youngstown State at NKU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. The match will be played at the front end of a doubleheader with the NKU men's soccer team, which takes on Cleveland State at 7:30.

Both matches are set to air on ESPN3.

Northern Kentucky Norse (7-5-0, 3-1-0) vs. Youngstown State Penguins (2-9-1, 0-4-0)
Saturday, Oct. 8 – 4:30 p.m.
Highland Heights, Ky. – NKU Soccer Stadium
Live stats | ESPN3

PARKING ADVISORY: Due to an 8 p.m. event at BB&T Arena, located adjacent to the NKU Soccer Stadium, parking fees on Saturday have been increased to $10 (cash only). In anticipation of a high volume of campus traffic, fans are encouraged to arrive to the match early for the best available parking. Parking close to the venue is available at the Welcome Center Garage and Lot "O" on a first-come, first-serve basis.

LAST TIME OUT: Northern Kentucky has won five of its last six matches and shut out Cleveland State, 1-0, last weekend. The Norse posted a season-high 22 shots while holding the Vikings to three total shots, one on goal, a season-low for an NKU opponent. Katelyn Newton scored the game-winner in the 80th minute on a double-assist from Taylor Spaulding and Jessica Frey.

SCOUTING THE PENGUINS: Youngstown State is led by first-year head coach Fabio Boateng and enters the weekend sitting ninth in the Horizon League standings. The squad is on a seven-game skid and is coming off a 2-1 overtime loss to League-leading Wright State. The Penguins average 1.08 goals per game while opponents are averaging 2.70.

Ernestina Abambila has far and away the most points on the team, accounting for 18 of YSU's 37 total points after scoring six goals and dishing out six assists. Marissa Martin and Kyler Lum have four points apiece for second on the team. Goalkeeper Katie Montgomery is the League leader in saves with 67, averaging over six per game.

SERIES HISTORY: NKU is 3-0 all-time against the Penguins. The Norse defeated Youngstown State, 3-1, on Sept. 18 last season for their first Horizon League win as a member of the League. Macy Hamblin and Jessica Frey each scored a goal while Sami Rutowski and Sam Davis had assists.

The first meeting between the squads came in NKU's first Division I season with the Norse claiming a 2-1 win over the Penguins at YSU on Sept. 16, 2012.

NORSE IN LEAGUE PLAY: After posting season-highs in shots (22) and shots on goal (14) in its last game at Cleveland State, Northern Kentucky boosted its shot average to 16 per League match. The Norse have scored 1.75 goals per League game, allowing just 0.50. They have out-scored Horizon League teams, 7-2, so far.

Three Norse have more than five points across four League matches. Macy Hamblin and Jessica Frey are tied with six points apiece on two goals and two assists against HL teams, bringing their season totals to 10 points each, tied for second overall in the League. Katelyn Newton follows with two goals and an assist for five points in League play and seven points overall this season.

SHUTOUT VICTORIES: All but one of NKU's seven wins this season have come in shutout fashion. The Norse are winners of six of their last eight games, five of which have been shutouts.

Senior goalkeeper Brooke Schocker has taken over in goal over the last two matches. Schocker has totaled 273:55 minutes between the posts, allowing just two goals for a 0.66 goals-against average, which ranks fourth in the Horizon League. She leads the squad with a .818 save percentage, closely followed by sophomore Emily Lohmann who has an .814 clip and four solo shutouts after appearing in 10 matches, all starts, before missing time due to an injury.

NSCAA TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD: The Norse were recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as a 2015-16 College Team Academic Award winner on Thursday. The squad was recognized for the 11th year in a row after posting a 3.42 grade point average during the 2015-16 academic year. The team has now earned the award 14 times since 2000.

UP NEXT: NKU travels to Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 15 for an 8 p.m. ET match against UIC. The match is the first of two remaining road games as NKU has just four contests left in the regular season.