HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky women's soccer team travels to Morehead State on Monday, Aug. 21 for its first away contest of 2017. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Jayne Stadium, and live stats will be available during the match.
 
Northern Kentucky Norse vs. Morehead State Eagles
Monday, Aug. 21 – 7:00 p.m.
Morehead, Ky. – Jayne Stadium  
 
LAST TIME OUT: NKU defeated Eastern Kentucky 2-1 on Friday, Aug. 18. It was the season opener for both teams. The Norse fell behind early in the match, as EKU scored a free kick goal in the 10^th minute to go ahead 1-0. NKU battled back to tie the game in the 26^th minute. Ally Perkins was fouled just outside of the box, and Macy Hamblin converted a free kick to even the game at 1-1. The Norse took the lead in the 62^nd minute, and the goal also proved to be the game winner. Jessica Frey headed a ball that was played into the box, but the EKU goalkeeper made a save. The ball bounced back in front of Frey, and she fired a shot from close range to help the Norse to a 2-1 victory.
 
SCOUTING MOREHEAD STATE: Morehead State began the 2017 season with a 3-1 loss to Western Carolina. Caitlyn Burdine put the Eagles in front in the 31^st minute, but Western Carolina responded less than a minute later to tie the score. The Catamounts added goals in the 51^st and 86^th minutes to put the match away. Ashley Ritchie is the top returning offensive player for Morehead State. Last season as a freshman, Ritchie scored eight goals and added two assists. Michele Washburn played all 90 minutes in the net for the Eagles in their match against Western Carolina. In 2016, she saw action in three matches, allowing four goals.
 
HORIZON LEAGUE: The Horizon League announced its women's soccer preseason poll for the 2017 campaign. NKU tied for first place in the poll with Milwaukee, as each team received 86 points and five first-place votes.
 
Detroit Mercy, Oakland, Wright State, UIC, IUPUI, Youngstown State, Cleveland State, and Green Bay rounded out the rest of the Horizon League preseason poll.
 
A SUCCESSFUL YEAR: NKU finished the 2016 campaign with a 13-7-1 overall record and a 6-2-1 mark in Horizon League play. The Norse captured the Horizon League Tournament crown and advanced to play in the Division I NCAA Tournament last season for the first time in program history. NKU fell to No. 1 West Virginia in the NCAA Tournament by a score of 3-0.
 
Macy Hamblin earned Horizon League Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors for the second season in a row. Jessica Frey joined Hamblin on the first team, Katelyn Newton received Second Team All-Horizon League honors, and Ally Perkins was named to the All-Freshman Team. Hamblin, Frey and Perkins all return to the team this season.
 
 
HEAD COACH BOB SHEEHAN: Sheehan is in his 21^st season as the head coach of the program. He is the only coach in the team's history and sports a 298-94-26 overall record. In Division I play, his teams are 46-41-8.
 
KEY RETURNERS: The Norse return three of their top four top offensive contributors from a year ago. Macy Hamblin led the team in points (27) and assists (9), while finishing second on the team in goals (9). Jessica Frey was right behind Hamblin in points (26) and assists (6), and she tallied 10 goals, which was the highest mark on the team. Ally Perkins is back for her sophomore campaign after finishing the 2016 season with 11 points and seven assists.
 
On the defensive side of the pitch, junior Taylor Spaulding returns to anchor the back line. She started all 21 games in 2016, leading the team with 1,855 minutes played. Emily Lohmann is also set to return for her junior season. Lohmann started 19 games at goalkeeper a year ago, recording 78 saves and a 0.788 save percentage.
 
UP NEXT: NKU is on the road for the second time in as many games, as the Norse head to Indiana State on Friday, Aug. 25. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.