GREEN BAY, Wis. – Freshman
Anders Mathiesen netted an 89th minute goal, but it would be too late to come back as the Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team fell to Green Bay, 2-1, in its regular season finale at Aldo Santaga Stadium on Friday afternoon.
With the loss, NKU ends the 2016 campaign at 1-13-4 overall and 1-7-1 in the Horizon League. Green Bay improved to 5-9-2 overall and 4-3-2 in the Horizon League as the win gave the Phoenix an opportunity to clinch a spot in the Horizon League tournament, pending other results around the Leauge.
NKU Scoring Summary
- Mathiesen's goal came directly off a free kick from 20 yards out in the 89th minute to spoil the shutout bid.
Between the Posts
- Freshman Jared Leyland earned the start in goal and picked up two saves in his 65:13 minutes.
- Redshirt sophomore Christian Carey took over between the posts for the final 24:47 but the Norse held Green Bay without a shot on goal during Carey's time in the net.
First Half Summary
- Green Bay served as the aggressor in the first half, managing eight total shots as it claimed a 1-0 lead just before halftime.
- Thomas McCormack scored the game's first goal in the 42nd minute on a double-assist from Marcos Bautista and Jack Bradford. McCormack's shot was deflected off Leyland, but fell past the goal line after deflecting off the crossbar.
Second Half Summary
- Green Bay extended its lead to 2-0 in the 66th minute when Tomer Zloczower received a cross from Bautista and buried his shot in the middle of the net.
- After the Phoenix extended their lead, NKU held Green Bay to just one shot on goal throughout the remainder of the match.
- The Norse managed two corner kicks and four shots, three on goal, across the final 10 minutes of play leading up to Mathiesen's goal.
- After posting just one shot in the opening period, NKU went on to fire six shots in the second half, and limited Green Bay to just three second-half shots after posting eight in the first half.
Norse Notes
- Mathiesen's goal was the first of his collegiate career as he ends the season with four total points on one goal and team-high two assists.
- Mathiesen is one of three freshmen who have posted at least one point this season. Fellow rookies Bryce Day and Eirik Abney each posted an assist this season. Meanwhile, freshmen Wladimir Babaew and Tucker Monheimer ended their freshman seasons in the top-five on the team in minutes played.
- Campbell Morris ends his junior campaign as the team leader in points with six via a team-best three goals.