HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky women's soccer team is set to host Appalachian State on Tuesday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the match will be broadcast on ESPN3. NKU head coach Bob Sheehan will be looking to obtain his 300^th career win.
 
Northern Kentucky Norse (2-1-0) vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers (0-2-1)
Tuesday, Aug. 27 – 4 p.m.
Highland Heights, Ky. – NKU Soccer Stadium
 
LAST TIME OUT: NKU fell to Indiana State by a score of 2-1 on Friday, Aug. 25. Jessica Frey scored in the seventh minute of the contest, but the Norse were unable to hang on to their early lead. The Sycamores recorded goals in the 20^th and 85^th minutes to secure the victory. The match marked the first loss of the season for NKU.

SCOUTING APPALACHIAN STATE: The Mountaineers are 0-2-1 on the young season. The team dropped games to High Point and Campbell, before earning a 1-1 draw against Ball State on Sunday, Aug. 27. Appalachian State has only scored one goal so far this year. Maggie Hanusek scored in the 51^st minute of the team's game against Ball State to give the Mountaineers a lead, but the Cardinals were able to score the equalizer in the 70^th minute.

Appalachian State has used three goalkeepers to start the season. Taylor Ray has made two starts on the year, giving up two goals in 155 minutes of action. Lauren Burke has played two halves in relief, allowing one goal in 90 minutes. Sam Steyl has started one game, making one save and not allowing a goal in 45 minutes.

In the 2017 campaign, Appalachian State has given up one goal per game, while being just held to 0.33 goals per game. The Mountaineers have taken 30 shots on the year, with 10 being on frame.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE STATS: Jessica Frey leads the team with four goals, and she has scored at least one goal in all three matches this season. Kayte Osterfeld, Ally Perkins, Shawna Zaken, Rachel Conaway and Payton Naylor have each recorded an assist this season. Five NKU players have played all 270 minutes this year (Conaway, Frey, Emily Lohmann, Hannah Fischer, and Taylor Spaulding).
 
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 299-95-26 overall record. In Division I play, his teams are 47-42-8.
 
Sheehan ranks in the top 40 all-time in winning percentage for women's soccer coaches in NCAA history across all divisions. He is also in the top 60 all-time in total victories for women's soccer coaches across all NCAA divisions. 
 
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: The Norse will host Murray State on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m.