HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky women's soccer team will open Horizon League play on Friday night by hosting the UIC Flames. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at NKU Soccer Stadium, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN3. The Norse will be looking to snap a three-match skid.
 
Northern Kentucky Norse (3-4-0, 0-0-0 Horizon) vs. UIC Flames (2-6-0, 0-0-0 Horizon)
Friday, Sept. 15 – 7 p.m.
Highland Heights, Ky. – NKU Soccer Stadium
 
LAST TIME OUT:  NKU fell to Xavier 2-1 on Sunday evening. The Musketeers scored two goals in the first half to take a 2-0 lead. The Norse pulled one back in the 53^rd minute. Macy Hamblin fired a shot from a tough angle on the left side, and the ball found its way into the back of the net. The Norse had a few opportunities to score throughout the match. In the 32^nd minute, the official called a foul just outside of the box, which led to an NKU free kick. Hamblin fired a shot toward the lower left corner of the net, but the Xavier goalkeeper was able to make the save. Later in the first half, Samantha Duwel and Megan Patrick each put their header attempts near the goal, but both were unlucky to score. The Norse tried to get the equalizer in the 84^th minute. Jessica Frey found space behind the Xavier defense, but her shot attempt went to the right of the goal.
 
SCOUTING UIC:  The Flames enter the match at 2-6-0. UIC has dropped its past two matches to Belmont and Middle Tennessee by scores of 3-0 and 2-0, respectively. Seven different players have scored a goal for UIC this season. Olivia Everin and Morgan Carey lead the team in points with a goal and an assist. The Flames have used two goalkeepers in the lineup this season. Kelly Fritz and Annie DiCanio have each started four games. Fritz has allowed an average of 1.93 goals per game this year, while making 19 saves for a 0.704 save percentage. DiCanio has a 1.25 goals against average, and she has made 15 saves for a 0.750 save percentage.
 
TAKING A LOOK AT THE STATS: The Norse will be looking to end a three-match losing streak, as the team has suffered losses to Murray State, Cincinnati and Xavier. Murray State remains unbeaten at 5-0-0, and Cincinnati was ranked No. 19 in the latest Top Drawer Soccer Poll with a 6-0-1 record.
 
Jessica Frey leads the team with six goals and 12 points. She is tied for ninth in NCAA Division I in goals scored. Macy Hamblin has two goals on the season, and Ally Perkins and Emily Soltes have each added a goal in 2017. Eight different players have recorded an assist for the Norse this season.
 
In the net, Emily Lohmann has started six matches. She has a 1.32 goals against average, while making 28 saves for a 0.788 save percentage.
 
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.
 
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 300-98-26 overall record. In Division I play, his teams are 48-45-8. Coach Sheehan picked up his 300^th win in a 2-1 overtime victory against Appalachian State on Aug. 29.
 
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. 
 
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.
                                                   
UP NEXT: The Norse will travel to Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 23 for a 3 p.m. Horizon League match.