HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky men's soccer team will open the regular season on Friday against Oakland City. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at NKU Soccer Stadium.
 
Northern Kentucky Norse vs. Oakland City Mighty Oaks
Friday, Aug. 25 – 7 p.m.
Highland Heights, Ky. – NKU Soccer Stadium
 
HEAD COACH STU RIDDLE: Stu Riddle begins his first season at the helm of the NKU men's soccer program. He was most recently the head coach at the University at Buffalo, where he spent four seasons. Last year as head coach of the Bulls, Riddle led the team to a 12-4-3 overall record. For his career, Riddle is 61-68-21 in eight seasons as a head coach. In the past seven seasons, Riddle has guided his teams to the Mid-American Conference Championship match four times (2010, 2011 at Western Michigan and 2015, 2016 at Buffalo.)
 
NORSE IN THE PRESEASON: The Norse had a 1-1-1 record in the preseason. On Aug. 14, NKU went on the road and defeated Kentucky 2-1. Tom Suchecki scored goals in the 27^th and 30^th minutes to help the Norse get the victory. Both of Suchecki's goals came from just outside the box. The first goal was a shot from a bouncing ball near the 18-yard line that went to the left of the keeper. He followed that up with a brace from more than 20 yards out to put the Norse ahead 2-0. Kentucky was able to pull one back in the 75^th minute, but NKU held on to preserve the victory.
 
A few days after the match with Kentucky, the Norse tied the FC Cincinnati reserve team, 1-1. Suchecki converted a penalty kick in the 25^th minute to tie the game and score his third goal of the preseason. The Norse ended the exhibition schedule with a loss to Urbana.
 
SCOUTING OAKLAND CITY: Oakland City is a NCAA Division II and National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I member. The Mighty Oaks have 14 new members on their roster for the 2017 season. Last year, the team went 4-9, but finished the season with two consecutive wins.  
 
FRESH FACES: NKU signed 13 student-athletes to its 2017 class. Jim Barkei, Victor Bjurhall, Felix Komolong, Alex Greive, Brett Wilson, Tom Suchecki, Rikard Lindqvist, Edo Durante, Abdul Kooistra, Jake Minkovitz, Joe Paasewe, Harvey Moyes and Isaiah Schatz will all begin their first seasons with the Norse.
 
Barkei, Koositra, Lindqvist, Suchecki and Wilson are transfers who have played at the Division I level. Komolong, a freshman, is the brother of NKU soccer alum Alvin Komolong. Schatz is also a freshman, and he earned a selection to the U.S. Youth Futsal Team that competed in Costa Rica in late July.
 
TOP RETURNERS: Midfielder Campbell Morris is back for his senior campaign. Last season, he led the Norse in goals (3) and points (6). Senior Dylan Carss and junior Calvin Murphy will once again provide leadership to the defense. Carss and Murphy played 1,698 and 1,666 minutes, respectively, in 2016 to lead the team.
 
UP NEXT: NKU will host UC Irvine on Sunday, Aug. 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3.