HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky men's soccer played the Cincinnati Bearcats, which is ranked 28^th in the most recent RPI rankings, to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday evening at the NKU Soccer Stadium. Freshman Owen Betz and a strong defensive effort helped the Norse notch the shutout.
 
With the result, Northern Kentucky stands at 0-8-2 and Cincinnati is now 5-3-1.
 
Between the Posts

• Betz earned his first start in goal, posting a clean sheet with 110-minutes between the posts. He finished with two saves on the day.
• Betz's clean sheet was the first shutout by NKU since a 0-0 draw with Valparaiso on Oct. 17 of last season.
• Pedro Diaz played all 110-minutes in goal for UC. He made five saves on the day.

 
First Half Summary

• The Norse held a first-half advantage in shots, including the lone attempt of the stanza for either team that was placed on goal.
• Anders Mathiesen recorded the attempt on frame. He took a shot on a free kick from about 25-yards out along the left edge of the box. The ball was placed on the left near post, but saved by Cincinnati keeper Pedro Diaz.

 
Second Half Summary

• Betz was up to the task on the first save of his collegiate career. In the 53^rd-minute, UC served a ball into the box off a free kick. UC's Ryan Melink flicked a header that Betz made a leaping save on.
• Kobie Qualah made a run in the 59', collecting a long throw from Betz after the keeper made a save. Qualah collected the ball near midfield, raced up the left sideline before cutting into the middle and skipping a sharply hit ball along the turf. Diaz made a diving save.
• NKU had another terrific attempt with just over 20 minutes to play. Joey Sabato played a ball across the box from the left wing that found the foot of Liam Evans, who one-timed a hard shot that went right to the chest of Diaz.

 
Overtime Summary

• Cincinnati had a scoring opportunity in the 95^th-minute, but Northern Kentucky's defense forced Melink's shot wide right.
• Moments later, Tucker Monheimer nearly put the game away. On a ball that was play into Monheimer in the box, he took a shot that Diaz made a one-handed diving save to corral.
• The Norse finished with a flurry in the final minute of the game as well. Qualah took a shot from inside the right side of the box that was blocked out for a corner kick. He then placed a header off the corner that went just wide left.

 
Norse Notes

• NKU outshot UC, 17-15, which included a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal.
• The Bearcats took eight corners, while the Norse took five.
• Qualah took a team-high three shots. Wlademir Babaew, Mathiesen, Monnheimer, Campbell Morris and Liam Evans took two apiece.

 
Up Next

• NKU heads to the Windy City for a Horizon League showdown with UIC on Saturday, Oct. 1. Kick-off in Chicago is slated for 8 p.m. (ET)/7 p.m. (CT).