HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky men's soccer team fell 1-0 to Urbana in the team's final exhibition match of the season. Thibaut Bourrier provided the lone goal of the match in the 54^th minute.

"Overall, it's been a very positive preseason," said head coach Stu Riddle. "We weren't at our best tonight, but over the last 10 days, this new team has shown some very positive moments. We are looking forward to a good week of training and development ahead of next week's season opener."
 
BETWEEN THE POSTS

• All three of NKU's goalkeepers saw action in the match. Jim Barkei played just under 61 minutes, before Christian Carey came into the match. Isaiah Schatz entered the match near the end of the second half.

FIRST HALF SUMMARY

• Both teams were scoreless in the first half, as neither could find its offensive rhythm.
• In the 36^th minute, Abdul Kooistra made a couple of nice moves on the touch line and passed the ball to Bastian Beckers. Beckers fired a shot, but it was blocked right away by an Urbana defender.
• A few minutes later, Tom Suchecki found open space about 25 yards outside the box, but his shot went to the right of the goal.
• The final chance for the Norse to score came in the 40^th minute. A corner kick played into the box by Campbell Morris found Kooistra in the box. Kooistra headed the ball across the box to Suchecki who headed it back across the front of the goal, but the threat was cleared by Urbana.

 
SECOND HALF SUMMARY

• Urbana's goal came in the 54^th minute. Thibaut Bourrier secured a ball that was headed out by a NKU defender. He fired a shot from just outside the box. His shot hit the left inside post and went into the back of the net to put the visitors ahead.
• Suchecki gave the Norse their first shot on goal of the match in the 65^th minute, but it was handled by the Urbana goalkeeper.
• A few minutes later, TJ Harris found himself with open space in the box, but his shot was just high of the frame.
• In the 69^th minute, Alex Greive tried to level the score, but his shot was also saved by the Urbana goalkeeper.
• The Norse continued to apply pressure toward the end of the second half, but they were not able to score the equalizer.

 
GAME NOTES

• NKU had eight shots in the match, compared to two for Urbana.
• The Norse recorded four corner kicks, while Urbana had two.

 
UP NEXT
The Norse will host Oakland City on Friday, Aug. 25 to begin the regular season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at NKU Soccer Stadium.