HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's soccer team opened the 2016 season on Friday, battling Eastern Illinois to a 1-1 draw at NKU Soccer Stadium in a game plagued by lightning delays including a 28-minute delay to start the game.
"We had a lot of young kids on the field and that's a learning process for them. We had six freshmen out there and they played very well," said head coach
John Basalyga. "Give Eastern Illinois a lot of credit, they had a lot of possession of the ball and it's about how you survive when you pick yourself up after going down a goal with 20 seconds left in the first half. I really appreciate the kids' effort, especially the young ones who stepped up to the plate."
NKU Scoring Summary
- After EIU's first-half goal, Campbell Morris netted NKU's equalizer on a one-touch goal off a Nick Perez header inside the box in the 66th minute. Bryce Day crossed the ball into Perez for the double-assist.
Between the Posts
- Christian Carey started in goal, playing the entire first half and logging two saves and one goal allowed.
- Jared Leyland took over to start the second period and totaled 75:00 after playing both overtime periods. The Panthers did not have a shot on goal during Leyland's time in goal.
First Half Summary
- The teams battled for possession throughout the first portion of the opening stanza, with neither team firing a shot until EIU managed an attempt in the 19th minute that sailed high.
- Eastern Illinois was out-shooting NKU, 3-1, when a lightning delay was called with just over two minutes left in the opening stanza.
- Following the hour-long delay, the Panthers' Davis Wegmann scored on a penalty kick after Norse goalkeeper Christian Carey dove right and Wegmann shot the ball into the bottom left corner with 19 seconds left in the first half.
Second Half Summary
- The Norse held EIU to one shot within the first 18 minutes of the second half, meanwhile NKU fired three shot attempts including Morris's marker.
- NKU built up momentum in the second half, firing four total shots after managing just one in the opening period.
- EIU out-shot NKU, 9-5, overall and 3-1 in shots on goal.
Overtime Summary
- Neither team posted a shot attempt in the first overtime period. EIU registered the only shot attempt in either of the OT periods.
- The best look of the overtime periods came in the second OT, when Morris took a free kick, looking to set up Kobie Qualah when the ball sailed just in front of the forward.
Up Next
- The Norse return to action on Sunday when they host Evansville at NKU Soccer Stadium at 2 p.m.