HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's soccer team travels to Cleveland State on Saturday for an important Horizon League match. NKU enters the match at 8-3-1 overall and 4-0-1 in league play. The Vikings are 8-4-1 on the season and also sport a 4-0-1 league record. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Cleveland, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
NORTHERN KENTUCKY vs. CLEVELAND STATE
Saturday, Oct. 13 – 7 p.m. – Cleveland, Ohio – ESPN+ – Live Stats
 
SERIES HISTORY
The series is tied 2-2. In the last meeting, the Vikings defeated NKU on Oct. 21, 2017, by a final score of 1-0.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Norse picked up a 1-0 victory over IUPUI on Saturday evening. Samantha Duwel scored in the 61^st minute to lift the Norse to victory. Emily Lohmann and the NKU defense recorded their sixth shutout of the season.  
 
TAKING A LOOK AT THE STATS
The Norse are 8-3-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the Horizon League. NKU sports a 6-0 record at home, and the team is 8-0 when scoring first in a match. NKU is averaging 1.50 goals per match and give up an average of 0.83 goals per contest. Emily Soltes and Samantha Duwel each have four goals and five assists on the season for 13 points. Shawn Zaken has added four goals and four assists for 12 points. Emily Lohmann has made 43 saves on the year for a 0.811 save percentage and a 0.80 goals against average.
 
NCAA RPI
The Norse were ranked No. 99 in this week's NCAA RPI. NKU had the highest ranking out of all the Horizon League teams.
 
HORIZON LEAGUE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lohmann was named the Nike® Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Aug. 27 for her play from Aug. 20-26. She recorded a shutout for the Norse in the 1-0 win over Xavier on Thursday evening. Lohmann faced 12 shots on the night and made five saves in the contest. She also had another good showing in a 1-0 overtime loss to Cincinnati on Sunday evening. Lohmann faced 18 shots and made six saves in that contest.
 
THIS YEAR'S SQUAD
The Norse return 17 players from last year's team and welcome six newcomers to the squad. Lily Menssen, Ashleigh Cronin, Morgan Jewell, Ella Holland, Madelyn Koewler and Chloe Mills are in their first seasons at NKU.
 
HEAD COACH BOB SHEEHAN
Bob Sheehan is in his 22^nd season at the helm of the NKU women's soccer team. He sports a 314-103-29 (.737) all-time record. Sheehan won his 300^th career match last season against Appalachian State on Aug. 29, 2017. His teams are 22-5-5 in Horizon League play and have a 4-1-1 record in the Horizon League Tournament.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Cleveland State is 8-4-1 on the year and 4-0-1 in the Horizon League. The Vikings have won three straight matches and are 4-0-1 in their past five contests. CSU also sports a 6-1 home record. During the season, the team has averaged 1.92 goals per match.  McKenna Vento leads the team with five goals scored. Sarah Krause and Ja'Maya Ward have each added four goals and four assists. Stevie Holbrook has started all 13 matches for the Vikings at goalkeeper. She has made 46 saves for a 0.821 save percentage and a 0.81 goals against average.