HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky women's soccer team defeated Eastern Kentucky 2-1 on Friday night in both teams' season opener. The Norse fell behind 1-0 in the 10^th minute, but the team battled back with goals in the 26^th and 62^nd minutes to earn the win.

"It's always a positive first step to begin the season with a victory over a quality opponent," said head coach Bob Sheehan. "Our goal is always to improve, and one of our goals at halftime was to show improvement from the first half to the second half. Overall, we are pleased with our players' effort."
 
NKU SCORING SUMMARY

• In the 26^th minute, Ally Perkins drew a foul just outside the box. Macy Hamblin set up a free kick, and she struck the ball off of the right post of the goal into the back of the net to even the score.
• Jessica Frey scored the game-winner in the 62^nd minute. Her initial header was saved by the EKU goalkeeper, but she was able to secure the rebound to strike the ball into the back of the net from close range.

 
BETWEEN THE POSTS

• Emily Lohmann made three saves on the night, including two huge stops late in the second half. 

 
 
FIRST HALF SUMMARY

• The first major offensive chance of the match came in the seventh minute. EKU's Jordan Foster received a ball on the right side of the six-yard box, but her shot went to the right of the net.
• Less than a minute later, NKU's Frey got behind the EKU defense. She fired a shot, but the EKU goalkeeper was able to make the save.
• In the 10^th minute, NKU goalkeeper Lohmann came out of the box to prevent a breakaway and received a yellow card for knocking down an EKU player. The play resulted in a free kick about a yard outside the 18-yard box. The Colonels' Emmi Carroll struck her shot into the lower left corner of the net to put the visitors ahead 1-0.
• The Norse evened the match in the 26^th minute on Hamblin's free kick.

 
SECOND HALF SUMMARY

• NKU had an opportunity to go ahead in the 52^nd minute. Emily Soltes had a strong header, but the EKU goalkeeper made a save.
• The Norse took a 2-1 lead in the 62^nd minute on Frey's goal.
• Trailing 2-1, the Colonels started to put pressure on NKU's defense in the last portion of the second half.
• In the 71^st minute, EKU's Idalys Rea was in the box with a pretty clear chance to score the potential equalizer, but her shot sailed high.
• The Colonel's Jordan Foster fired a shot from distance in the 86^th minute, but Lohmann was able to punch the ball over the goal.
• Just over a minute later, EKU's Sam Eastes took a hard shot, which forced Lohmann to dive to her right to make a save.

GAME NOTES

• Each team had 12 shots on the night. NKU had six shots on goal, compared to four for EKU.
• The Norse had five corner kicks, while EKU had two.
• Macy Hamblin and Jessica Frey began their senior seasons on the right note, as each scored a goal in the contest.
• Prior to the game, Northern Kentucky's players unveiled a pair of banners to celebrate the team's 2016 Horizon League Tournament Championship and NCAA Championship First Round appearance.

 
 
UP NEXT
NKU travels to Morehead State on Monday, Aug. 21, for its first away contest of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.