ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Northern Kentucky women's soccer team earned a 3-0 victory at Oakland on Wednesday evening. With the win, NKU is now in sole possession of first place in the Horizon League. IUPUI had led the standings, but the Jaguars fell to Milwaukee earlier in the day. The Norse are now 9-4-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the Horizon League, and the team is unbeaten in seven straight matches. Oakland falls to 2-13-1 and 2-5-0 in League play.

"Our back line played exceptionally well in allowing just two shots tonight," said NKU head coach Bob Sheehan. Our midfield continues to grow, and they were fantastic tonight. Our forwards had another strong performance, and our goalkeepers kept everything organized. Overall, we are pleased with the energy and commitment that the team played with tonight."
 
NKU SCORING SUMMARY

• In the 13^th minute of the contest, Ally Perkins played a nice cross from the left side into the box. Samantha Duwel volleyed the ball to the left side of the net to give NKU a 1-0 lead.
• Macy Hamblin gave NKU a 2-0 advantage in the 29^th minute. With her back facing the goal, Jessica Frey kicked a ball up the field. Hamblin ran on to the ball with three defenders surrounding her, and she fired a shot off of the left post and in to the back of the net to double the lead.
• Perkins extended the lead to 3-0 in the 65^th minute. Hamblin played a ball across the box from the right side, and Perkins one-timed the ball into the back of the net.

 
BETWEEN THE POSTS

• Emily Lohmann made two saves on the night in 78 minutes of action.
• Jennifer Farwell came in to the match for Lohmann late in the second half, and they both combined for NKU's third shutout of the season.

 
FIRST HALF SUMMARY

• Samantha Duwel had the first shot on goal for either team in the seventh minute, but Oakland's Sophia Braun was able to make the save.
• In the 10^th minute, Oakland earned a corner kick. The NKU defense cleared the threat, and Jessica Frey received the ball to set up a counter attack. Frey dribbled past the Oakland defense, but fired her shot right at Braun.
• Frey earned another shot on the play, but it was also saved and then cleared by the Oakland defense.
• Duwel gave the Norse a 1-0 lead in the 13^th minute.
• Payton Naylor had a scoring chance in the 18^th minute, but her shot went just wide right of the frame.
• In the 27^th minute, Macy Hamblin found space from 25 yards out, but her attempt was high of the mark.
• A few minutes later, Hamblin scored to extend the Norse lead to 2-0.
• Emily Lohmann made two saves late in the first half to keep Oakland from scoring.  

 
SECOND HALF SUMMARY

• The Norse had a chance to score early in the second half. Duwel played a corner kick into the box, which found Emily Soltes. The ball was tough to handle, and Soltes put her shot high of the frame.
• In the 57^th minute, Ally Perkins fired a shot, but her attempt was blocked by the Oakland defense.
• Emily Soltes nearly scored in the 60^th minute. She took a shot from just outside the box, and her attempt went just over the crossbar.
• Perkins extended the lead to 3-0 in the 65^th minute.
• Erin Sutton tried to score in the 70^th minute with a hard shot on the ground, but Oakland's Braun made a great save to keep the ball out of the net.  
• Frey took the final shot for NKU in the 71^st minute, but her header attempt was saved.

 
MATCH NOTES

• The Norse had a 15-2 advantage in shots.
• NKU is unbeaten in seven matches, sporting a 6-0-1 record in those contests.
• This was the third shutout of the season for the Norse.
• NKU is in sole possession of first place in the Horizon League.

 
UP NEXT

• The Norse host Cleveland State on Saturday, Oct. 21 for the final home match of the regular season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Before the match, NKU's seniors will be recognized for their contributions to the program.