HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team travels to Vanderbilt on Sunday for the final nonconference tune-up before opening Horizon League play at Green Bay on Friday, Sept. 16.

Kickoff against the Commodores is set for 5 p.m. ET and will air on SEC Network+ on ESPN3.

Northern Kentucky Norse (2-4-0) at Vanderbilt Commodores (4-3-0)
Sunday, Sept. 11 – 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT
Nashville, Tenn. – Vanderbilt Soccer Complex
Live Stats | SEC Network+
 
LAST TIME OUT: The Norse suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of Xavier on Tuesday night when the Musketeers netted the game-winner with 11 seconds left in regulation for a 2-1 win. NKU held a 1-0 advantage in the match, Ally Perkins took a corner kick from the right corner and played it in to Sami Rutowski who served it up for a goal from Rachel Conaway in the 20th minute. However, the Norse could not hold off Xavier who struck for a pair of goals in the second half. NKU out-shot XU, 15-8.

SCOUTING VANDERBILT: The Commodores fell at Auburn on Friday night, 2-1, in their SEC Conference opener to move to 4-3-0 on the season. Grace Jackson leads the squad with 11 points on three goals and a team-high five assists. Jackson is one of three players tied for a team-high three goals this season.

Vandy has netted 16 goals across its first seven games for a mark of 2.67 goals per game while opponents are averaging 1.17 goals per game. The Commodore offense also fires 14.2 shots per game. Three players have seen time in goal led by Kaitlyn Fahrner who has logged 492:16 minutes with 26 saves, a 1.28 goals-against average and .788 save percentage.

FIRST TIME OPPONENTS: Vandy is the fourth and final first-time opponent on NKU's schedule this season. The match marks the first match against an SEC opponent in program history.

HELPING HAND: Senior defender/midfielder Sami Rutowski has dished out an assist in each of NKU's last two games. She joins Macy Hamblin, Katelyn Newton, Rachel Conaway and Samantha Duwel as one of five players with two points this season. Rutowski is tied with freshman Ally Perkins as NKU's assist leader. Perkins leads NKU with four points on one goal and two assists. Rutowski is also second on the team in non-goalie minutes played with 512 behind Katelyn Newton who has logged 532 out of a possible 540.

DOUBLE-DIGIT SHOTS: Hamblin and Jessica Frey lead NKU in shot attempts this season. Frey has a team-best 16 attempts, nine of which were on goal for a 0.563 shot on goal percentage. Hamblin, who has seen action in three of NKU's six games, has chipped in 12 shots, five on target, and one goal. She leads the League in shots per game with four.

UP NEXT: The Norse open Horizon League play at Green Bay on Friday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT before returning home for a three-game homestand that includes two League opponents.