HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky men's soccer team plays host to crosstown rival Cincinnati on Wednesday at the front end of a doubleheader with the NKU women's team. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. at NKU Soccer Stadium and will air live on ESPN3.
Northern Kentucky Norse (0-8-1) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (5-3-0)
Wednesday, Sept. 28 – 4:30 p.m.
Highland Heights, Ky. – NKU Soccer Stadium
Live stats |
ESPN3
IT'S ON US: Wednesday's men's and women's soccer doubleheader is being played in conjunction with the
"It's On Us" campaign at NKU. The campaign is taking place all week and aims to educate students and prevent sexual assault on college campuses. In 2015, President Obama and Vice President Biden introduced "It's On Us" as a nationwide campaign with the intention of unifying universities to end sexual violence. In just one year, more than 220,000 people have pledged to show support. The UC Bearcats are also showing support for the campaign by donning the "It's On Us" shirts during warm-ups along with the Norse.
LAST TIME OUT: The Norse are coming off a 4-0 loss to Wright State at home last weekend.
Christian Carey started in goal and picked up a pair of saves in 60:46 minutes played.
Dezmond Thompson subbed in goal in the 61st minute, making his second career appearance. The freshman allowed one goal and picked up two saves.
Jacob Cunningham and
Anders Mathiesen posted two shots apiece.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS: With a record of 5-3-0, Cincinnati is ranked 28th in the NCAA men's soccer RPI entering the week. The squad is on a four-match win streak with its most recent victory coming in the American Athletic Conference opener against Memphis, 2-1. As a team, UC is ranked in the top-25 nationally in two categories including 20th in shutout percentage and 23rd in save percentage. Goalkeeper Pedro Diaz is the only Bearcat to see time in goal this season and has landed himself in the top-40 in save percentage (.826), saves per game (4.75) and total saves (38).
Offensively, Adam Wilson is tied for seventh nationally in assists with five and is tied with Ryan Melink for a team-best seven points. Melink is the leading goal scorer with three on the season. Daniel Oginni is the reigning AAC Rookie of the Week and has five points on two goals and an assist.
SERIES HISTORY: Despite being separated by just nine miles, the Norse and Bearcats have only met three times throughout program history. Cincinnati claimed a 3-2 victory over the Norse in the 2015 season opener at UC.
Kobie Qualah netted a goal on an assist from
Johannes Jansen last, while
Dylan Carss also posted an assist for the Norse.
In the only two other meetings - coming in 2013 and 2014 - the teams played to a 1-1 draw.
YOUNG TALENT: The Norse roster features 12 freshmen and just one senior,
Alwin Komolong, who has seen limited play time due to injury this season. Freshman
Wlademir Babaew is one of three players to start all nine games this season. He is third on the team in minutes played with 734. Meanwhile, freshman
Tucker Monheimer is the team leader in shot attempts with 12. The rookie duo of
Anders Mathiesen and
Bryce Day have each posted at least one point so far this year, while a pair of freshmen has seen time in goal.
Jared Leyland has played four games, making two starts to total 300 minutes with nine saves and 46 shots faced.
Dezmond Thompson has seen action in each of the last two games, making his collegiate debut against Marshall last Wednesday. He has 46:45 minutes under his belt with three saves.
UP NEXT: The Norse resume Horizon League play on Saturday, Oct. 1 when they travel to UIC for an 8 p.m. ET match at Flames Field.
